Frost dates for 49855Marquette, MI
The average last spring frost in Marquette is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 7 · May 23 · Jun 6 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 8 · May 23 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 5 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 27 · May 11 | Oct 19 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Marquette
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49855 is matched to the NOAA station Marquette, MI, 6.8 km away, at 665 ft elevation (204 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette, MI (used) | 665 ft | May 8 | Oct 21 |
| Marquette, MI | 1,411 ft | May 22 | Sep 29 |
| Ishpeming Wwtp, MI | 1,406 ft | May 26 | Sep 25 |
| Ki Sawyer Wwtp, MI | 1,116 ft | May 13 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Marquette
- National Mine, MI 49865 · last May 22, first Sep 29
- Negaunee, MI 49866 · last May 22, first Sep 29
- Palmer, MI 49871 · last May 22, first Sep 29
- Ishpeming, MI 49849 · last May 22, first Sep 29
- Gwinn, MI 49841 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Skandia, MI 49885 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Champion, MI 49814 · last —, first —
- Little Lake, MI 49833 · last May 13, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Marquette, MI?
- For ZIP code 49855, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marquette, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Marquette, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49855?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.