Fall in zone 5aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 48770 (Whittemore, 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, Hale 5SSW #2, MI (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)127 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
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 48770 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) | May 5 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 23 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 7 |
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 14 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 26 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 8 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 4 | Sep 16 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 23 | Sep 26 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 7 | Oct 6 |
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 48770
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 23) and first fall frost (Sep 26). 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 28–Apr 11 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 14–28 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 14–28 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 28–Apr 11 | May 2–23 (transplant) Apr 25–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–22 (transplant) Jul 18–Aug 15 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 11–May 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–22 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 18 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Apr 25–May 23 (transplant) Apr 25–May 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) Jun 20–Jul 18 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 14–28 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 18 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 14–28 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 18 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 18 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 6–27 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 28–Apr 11 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 25–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 25–May 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–29 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 25–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 11–25 | May 9–30 (transplant) May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 25–May 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | May 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–18 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 18–May 30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 25–May 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 28–Apr 25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 4–18 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 11–May 9 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 28–Mar 14 | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 11–25 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jun 6–20 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 13–Jul 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 25–May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 25–May 2 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 25–May 2 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 11–25 | Jun 6–20 (transplant) Jun 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 28–Mar 14 | May 30–Jun 6 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 11–25 | May 30–Jun 13 (transplant) May 30–Jun 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 9–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 14–28 | May 9–23 (transplant) May 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 23–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 23–Jun 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 25–May 9 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (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: Hale 5SSW #2, MI (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00203528), elevation 816 ft, 4.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: E (estimated from nearby stations).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hale Loud Dam, MI | 15 mi | May 16 | Oct 5 |
| E Tawas, MI | 16 mi | May 8 | Oct 5 |
| Lupton 1S, MI | 16 mi | May 21 | Sep 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 15 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 48770
When is the last frost in 48770?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 48770 is May 23. For a more cautious planting date, use June 7, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 48770?
The average first fall freeze is September 26. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 14.
What hardiness zone is 48770?
ZIP 48770 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 48770 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
48748 Sand Lake 48756 Skidway Lake 48765 Turner 48739 48763 Tawas City 48766 Twining 48635 Lupton 48743
Other ZIP codes in Iosco County
48730 48739 48743 48748 48750 48763 All Iosco 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.