Frost dates for 49871Palmer, MI
The average last spring frost in Palmer is May 22 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 129 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 129 days
Safer after Jun 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 208 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 22 · Jun 3 · Jun 19 | Aug 27 · Sep 14 · Oct 1 | 102 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 22 · Jun 4 | Sep 11 · Sep 29 · Oct 12 | 129 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 24 · Oct 10 · Oct 26 | 155 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Palmer
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 21 – Jun 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – May 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49871 is matched to the NOAA station Marquette, MI, 10.2 km away, at 1,411 ft elevation (82 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marquette, MI (used) | 1,411 ft | May 22 | Sep 29 |
| Ishpeming Wwtp, MI | 1,406 ft | May 26 | Sep 25 |
| Marquette, MI | 665 ft | May 8 | Oct 21 |
| Ki Sawyer Wwtp, MI | 1,116 ft | May 13 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Palmer
- Negaunee, MI 49866 · last May 22, first Sep 29
- Ishpeming, MI 49849 · last May 22, first Sep 29
- Gwinn, MI 49841 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Marquette, MI 49855 · last May 8, first Oct 21
- National Mine, MI 49865 · last May 22, first Sep 29
- Champion, MI 49814 · last —, first —
- Little Lake, MI 49833 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Skandia, MI 49885 · last May 13, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Palmer, MI?
- For ZIP code 49871, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marquette, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 4.
- When is the first frost in Palmer, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49871?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 129 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.