Last frost date in Walker, MI

Average last frost
May 6

Expect the last frost in Walker around May 6. Frost after May 23 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 10, which leaves 157 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 29 happens one year in ten.

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

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 10.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2344°
  3. SatOct 2449°
  4. SunOct 2548°
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2740°
  7. WedOct 2843°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 6First frost Oct 10157 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND157 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at E Grand Rapids, 8.3 miles from Walker.

Planting calendar for Walker

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 13–May 27
PumpkinsMay 20–Jun 3
SunflowersMay 6–May 27
CucumbersMay 20–May 27
CornMay 13–May 27
Sweet potatoesMay 27–Jun 10
WatermelonMay 20–Jun 3
Green beansMay 13–Jun 3
ZucchiniMay 13–May 27
OkraMay 27–Jun 10
PeppersMay 20–Jun 3
BasilMay 13–May 27
Butternut squashMay 13–May 27
CantaloupeMay 20–Jun 3
EggplantMay 20–Jun 3
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 8–Apr 22
OnionsMar 25–Apr 15
CarrotsApr 15–May 20
LettuceApr 22–May 13
BroccoliApr 8–Apr 22
BeetsApr 8–May 20
PeasMar 25–Apr 8
CabbageApr 8–Apr 22
RadishesApr 1–May 13
Brussels sproutsApr 22–May 6
SpinachMar 25–Apr 15
CilantroApr 22–May 13
KaleApr 8–Apr 22
Collard greensApr 8–Apr 22
TurnipsApr 8–Apr 22
DillMay 6–May 20
CeleryMay 13–May 20
CauliflowerApr 22–May 6
LeeksApr 22–May 6
Swiss chardApr 22–May 20
ParsleyApr 22–May 13
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 26–Oct 31
GarlicSep 19–Oct 24
Daffodil bulbsSep 12–Oct 24
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 8–Apr 22
AsparagusApr 8–Apr 22

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 24May 6May 23Sep 29Oct 10Oct 25
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 11Apr 27May 13Oct 8Oct 23Nov 7

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 E Grand Rapids (USC00202375) sits 8.3 miles from the center of Walker at 746 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 Walker, MI?

The average last frost date in Walker is May 6, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 23.

When is the first frost in Walker?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 10. One year in ten it arrives before September 29.

How long is the growing season in Walker?

About 157 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Walker?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 13 to May 27. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Michigan

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