Last frost date in Marquette, MI

Average last frost
May 8

Expect the last frost in Marquette around May 8. Frost after May 23 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 21, which leaves 164 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 6 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 23
Average first frost
Oct 21
Frost-free season
164 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 27
Next 7 nights in Marquette

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 21.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2351°
  3. SatOct 2450°
  4. SunOct 2542°
  5. MonOct 2638°
  6. TueOct 2738°
  7. WedOct 2841°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 8First frost Oct 21164 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND164 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Marquette, 0.9 miles from Marquette.

Planting calendar for Marquette

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Michigan.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 15–May 29
PumpkinsMay 22–Jun 5
SunflowersMay 8–May 29
CucumbersMay 22–May 29
CornMay 15–May 29
Sweet potatoesMay 29–Jun 12
WatermelonMay 22–Jun 5
Green beansMay 15–Jun 5
ZucchiniMay 15–May 29
OkraMay 29–Jun 12
PeppersMay 22–Jun 5
BasilMay 15–May 29
Butternut squashMay 15–May 29
CantaloupeMay 22–Jun 5
EggplantMay 22–Jun 5
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 10–Apr 24
OnionsMar 27–Apr 17
CarrotsApr 17–May 22
LettuceApr 24–May 15
BroccoliApr 10–Apr 24
BeetsApr 10–May 22
PeasMar 27–Apr 10
CabbageApr 10–Apr 24
RadishesApr 3–May 15
Brussels sproutsApr 24–May 8
SpinachMar 27–Apr 17
CilantroApr 24–May 15
KaleApr 10–Apr 24
Collard greensApr 10–Apr 24
TurnipsApr 10–Apr 24
DillMay 8–May 22
CeleryMay 15–May 22
CauliflowerApr 24–May 8
LeeksApr 24–May 8
Swiss chardApr 24–May 22
ParsleyApr 24–May 15
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 7–Nov 11
GarlicSep 30–Nov 4
Daffodil bulbsSep 23–Nov 4
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 10–Apr 24
AsparagusApr 10–Apr 24

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 26May 8May 23Oct 6Oct 21Nov 5
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 11Apr 27May 11Oct 19Nov 2Nov 16

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Marquette (USW00014838) sits 0.9 miles from the center of Marquette at 665 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Marquette, MI?

The average last frost date in Marquette is May 8, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 23.

When is the first frost in Marquette?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 21. One year in ten it arrives before October 6.

How long is the growing season in Marquette?

About 164 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Marquette?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 15 to May 29. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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