Frost dates for 49970Watton, MI
The average last spring frost in Watton is May 25 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 123 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 25
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 123 days
Safer after Jun 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 211 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 23 · Jun 6 · Jun 27 | Aug 27 · Sep 13 · Sep 27 | 96 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 7 · May 25 · Jun 11 | Sep 10 · Sep 25 · Oct 10 | 123 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 26 · May 10 · May 30 | Sep 21 · Oct 7 · Oct 26 | 148 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Watton
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 24 – Jun 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 17 – Jul 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jul 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – May 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49970 is matched to the NOAA station Watton 2Wsw, MI, 3.3 km away, at 1,394 ft elevation (43 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watton 2Wsw, MI (used) | 1,394 ft | May 25 | Sep 25 |
| Covington 1Nnw, MI | 1,611 ft | May 17 | Sep 30 |
| Alberta Ford For Ctr, MI | 1,310 ft | May 23 | Oct 1 |
| Herman, MI | 1,717 ft | May 31 | Sep 22 |
Frost dates near Watton
- Covington, MI 49919 · last May 17, first Sep 30
- Sidnaw, MI 49961 · last May 25, first Sep 25
- Pelkie, MI 49958 · last May 25, first Sep 23
- Lanse, MI 49946 · last May 25, first Sep 23
- Baraga, MI 49908 · last May 25, first Sep 23
- Trout Creek, MI 49967 · last May 31, first Sep 19
- Nisula, MI 49952 · last May 27, first Oct 1
- Amasa, MI 49903 · last Jun 6, first Sep 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Watton, MI?
- For ZIP code 49970, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Watton 2Wsw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 11.
- When is the first frost in Watton, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49970?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 123 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.