Fall in zone 5aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 49753 (Alpena 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, Alpena Co Rgnl AP, MI (11 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)136 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5a-20 to -15°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
47°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 46°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Gaylord 9 SSW (47 mi).
4-inch depth
48°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 48°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Gaylord 9 SSW (47 mi).
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 49753 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 48°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically 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) | May 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 31 |
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 18 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 1 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 16 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 29 | Sep 21 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 17 | Oct 1 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 4 | Oct 15 |
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 49753
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Oct 1). 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 22–Apr 5 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 8–22 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 8–22 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 22–Apr 5 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 22–Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 17 (transplant) Apr 19–May 31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–27 (transplant) Jul 23–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 5–26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–27 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 22–Apr 5 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) Apr 19–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) Jun 25–Jul 23 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 22–Apr 5 | Apr 19–May 17 (transplant) Apr 19–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) Jun 25–Jul 23 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 8–22 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 8–22 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8–22 | May 3–17 (transplant) | Jun 25–Jul 23 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jun 11–Jul 2 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 22–Apr 5 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) Apr 19–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 19–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 19–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 19–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 5–19 | May 3–24 (transplant) May 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 19–May 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 26–May 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–23 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 12–May 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 19–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 26–May 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 22–Apr 19 (sow outdoors) | Jul 9–23 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 5–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 22–Mar 8 | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 5–19 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jun 11–25 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 19–26 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 19–26 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 19–26 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 19–26 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 19–26 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 5–19 | May 31–Jun 14 (transplant) May 31–Jun 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 22–Mar 8 | May 24–31 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 5–19 | May 24–Jun 7 (transplant) May 24–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 8–22 | May 3–17 (transplant) Apr 26–May 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 19–May 3 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (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: Alpena Co Rgnl AP, MI (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00094849), elevation 684 ft, 11.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpena 10NW, MI | 14 mi | May 13 | Oct 3 |
| Alpena Wwtp, MI | 17 mi | May 5 | Oct 17 |
| Atlanta, MI | 18 mi | May 22 | Sep 27 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 49753
When is the last frost in 49753?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 49753 is May 17. For a more cautious planting date, use May 31, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 49753?
The average first fall freeze is October 1. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 18.
What hardiness zone is 49753?
ZIP 49753 is in USDA zone 5a (-20 to -15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 49753 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
49744 49746 Hillman 49747 Hubbard Lake 49776 Posen 49707 Alpena 48619 49743 49766 Ossineke
Other ZIP codes in Alpena County
49707 49744 49766 All Alpena County frost dates · Michigan frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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- Weekly yard to-dos
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.