Frost dates for 49894Wells, MI
The average last spring frost in Wells is May 19 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 133 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 133 days
Safer after Jun 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 204 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 17 · Jun 2 · Jun 22 | Sep 3 · Sep 19 · Oct 4 | 108 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 19 · Jun 3 | Sep 16 · Oct 1 · Oct 16 | 133 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 5 · May 22 | Sep 27 · Oct 14 · Oct 30 | 158 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wells
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 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49894 is matched to the NOAA station Cornell 5Se, MI, 8.1 km away, at 794 ft elevation (190 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell 5Se, MI (used) | 794 ft | May 19 | Oct 1 |
| Escanaba, MI | 590 ft | May 13 | Oct 7 |
| Rapid Rvr 4Sse, MI | 598 ft | May 18 | Oct 4 |
| Garden Corners, MI | 587 ft | May 16 | Sep 24 |
Frost dates near Wells
- Escanaba, MI 49829 · last May 19, first Oct 1
- Gladstone, MI 49837 · last May 19, first Oct 1
- Bark River, MI 49807 · last May 19, first Oct 1
- Cornell, MI 49818 · last May 19, first Oct 1
- Rapid River, MI 49878 · last May 18, first Oct 4
- Perkins, MI 49872 · last May 19, first Oct 1
- Harris, MI 49845 · last May 19, first Oct 1
- Wilson, MI 49896 · last May 19, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wells, MI?
- For ZIP code 49894, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cornell 5Se, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 3.
- When is the first frost in Wells, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49894?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 133 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.