Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 49629 (Elk Rapids, 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, Old Mission 3SSW, MI (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)158 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
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 (33 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 (33 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 49629 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.
Your average first frost is Oct 19: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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 28 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 13 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 29 |
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) | Oct 1 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 19 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 5 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 26 | Oct 4 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 13 | Oct 19 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 30 | Nov 4 |
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 49629
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Oct 19). 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 18–Apr 1 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 4–18 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 4–18 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 18–Apr 1 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 18–Apr 1 | Apr 22–May 13 (transplant) Apr 15–May 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 14 (transplant) Aug 10–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 18–Apr 1 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (transplant) Jul 13–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 18–Apr 1 | Apr 15–May 13 (transplant) Apr 15–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (transplant) Jul 13–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 4–18 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 4–18 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4–18 | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 18–Mar 4 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | Jun 29–Jul 20 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 18–Apr 1 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 15–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 21 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 15–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 1–15 | Apr 29–May 20 (transplant) Apr 29–May 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 15–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 22–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 8–May 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 7–21 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 15–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 22–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 18–Apr 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 18–Mar 4 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 18–Mar 4 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 7–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Sep 7–Oct 5 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | Jun 29–Jul 13 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 3–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 15–22 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 15–22 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 15–22 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 15–22 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 15–22 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 1–15 | May 27–Jun 10 (transplant) May 27–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 18–Mar 4 | May 20–27 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 1–15 | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) May 20–Jun 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 29–May 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 4–18 | Apr 29–May 13 (transplant) Apr 22–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 24–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | Aug 10–Sep 7 (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: Old Mission 3SSW, MI (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00206158), elevation 656 ft, 6.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NW Michigan Rsch Farm, MI | 14 mi | Apr 30 | Nov 1 |
| Traverse City Cherry Cptl AP, MI | 15 mi | May 12 | Oct 16 |
| Traverse City Munson, MI | 17 mi | May 9 | Oct 15 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 14 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 49629
When is the last frost in 49629?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 49629 is May 13. For a more cautious planting date, use May 29, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 49629?
The average first fall freeze is October 19. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 1.
What hardiness zone is 49629?
ZIP 49629 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 49629 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
49648 49676 Rapid City 49686 Traverse City 49612 Alden 49690 49615 Bellaire 49622 Central Lake 49674 Omena
Other ZIP codes in Antrim County
49611 49612 49615 49622 49627 49648 49659 49727 49729 49730 All Antrim County frost dates · Michigan frost dates
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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.