Frost dates for 49885Skandia, MI
The average last spring frost in Skandia is May 13 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 141 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 141 days
Safer after May 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 199 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 12 · May 28 · Jun 11 | Sep 2 · Sep 19 · Oct 4 | 113 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 13 · May 29 | Sep 15 · Oct 2 · Oct 16 | 141 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 18 | Sep 28 · Oct 14 · Nov 1 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Skandia
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49885 is matched to the NOAA station Ki Sawyer Wwtp, MI, 10.1 km away, at 1,116 ft elevation (93 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ki Sawyer Wwtp, MI (used) | 1,116 ft | May 13 | Oct 2 |
| Marquette, MI | 665 ft | May 8 | Oct 21 |
| Chatham Exp Farm 2, MI | 870 ft | May 30 | Sep 27 |
| Chatham 1 Se, MI | 875 ft | May 27 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Skandia
- Little Lake, MI 49833 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Gwinn, MI 49841 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Rumely, MI 49826 · last May 30, first Sep 27
- Deerton, MI 49822 · last May 30, first Sep 27
- Eben Junction, MI 49825 · last May 30, first Sep 27
- Chatham, MI 49816 · last May 30, first Sep 27
- Palmer, MI 49871 · last May 22, first Sep 29
- Au Train, MI 49806 · last May 16, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Skandia, MI?
- For ZIP code 49885, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ki Sawyer Wwtp, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 29.
- When is the first frost in Skandia, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49885?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 141 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.