Frost dates for 49919Covington, MI
The average last spring frost in Covington is May 17 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 134 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 134 days
Safer after May 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 202 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 15 · May 29 · Jun 10 | Sep 1 · Sep 17 · Oct 1 | 110 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 17 · May 30 | Sep 14 · Sep 30 · Oct 14 | 134 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 27 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 157 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Covington
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49919 is matched to the NOAA station Covington 1Nnw, MI, 2 km away, at 1,611 ft elevation (16 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington 1Nnw, MI (used) | 1,611 ft | May 17 | Sep 30 |
| Watton 2Wsw, MI | 1,394 ft | May 25 | Sep 25 |
| Alberta Ford For Ctr, MI | 1,310 ft | May 23 | Oct 1 |
| Herman, MI | 1,717 ft | May 31 | Sep 22 |
Frost dates near Covington
- Watton, MI 49970 · last May 25, first Sep 25
- Sidnaw, MI 49961 · last May 25, first Sep 25
- Lanse, MI 49946 · last May 25, first Sep 23
- Pelkie, MI 49958 · last May 25, first Sep 23
- Baraga, MI 49908 · last May 25, first Sep 23
- Michigamme, MI 49861 · last —, first —
- Amasa, MI 49903 · last Jun 6, first Sep 9
- Nisula, MI 49952 · last May 27, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Covington, MI?
- For ZIP code 49919, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Covington 1Nnw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 30.
- When is the first frost in Covington, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49919?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 134 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.