Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 49344 (Allegan County, MI)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Allegan 5NE, MI (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)160 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 49344 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-April to early May.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 22 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 4 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 22 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 30 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 15 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 29 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 17 | Oct 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 4 | Oct 15 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 24 | Oct 29 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 49344
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 15). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 9–23 | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 23–Mar 9 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 23–Mar 9 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 9–23 | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 9–23 | Apr 13–May 4 (transplant) Apr 6–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (transplant) Aug 6–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) Jul 9–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–May 4 (transplant) Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) Jul 9–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 16 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 11 (transplant) Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 30–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 9–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 9 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 25–Jun 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 6–13 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 6–13 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 6–13 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 6–13 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 6–13 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 9–23 | May 11–18 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 13–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Allegan 5NE, MI (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00200128), elevation 750 ft, 10.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings, MI | 16 mi | May 3 | Oct 12 |
| Gull Lake Biological STN, MI | 17 mi | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
| Nwsfo Grand Rapids, MI | 21 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 49344
When is the last frost in 49344?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 49344 is May 4. For a more cautious planting date, use May 22, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 49344?
The average first fall freeze is October 15. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 30.
What hardiness zone is 49344?
ZIP 49344 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 49344 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
49070 Martin 49348 Wayland 49328 Hopkins 49080 Plainwell 49333 Middleville 49078 Otsego 49046 Delton 49335
Other ZIP codes in Allegan County
49010 49070 49078 49080 49323 49328 49335 49348 49406 49408 49419 49423 49450 49453 All Allegan County frost dates · Michigan frost dates
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- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.