Michigan Frost Dates

Average last spring and first fall frost for Michigan cities, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. Click a city for its full planting guide.

CityLast spring frostFirst fall frostSeasonZone
Detroit Apr 21 Oct 31 193 days 6b
Grand Rapids May 6 Oct 10 157 days 6a
Traverse City May 9 Oct 15 159 days 6a
Marquette May 8 Oct 21 166 days 5a

Every NOAA weather station in Michigan with complete 1991–2020 frost normals — pick the one nearest you (similar elevation matters more than plain distance).

Not sure which station to trust? Use the ZIP code lookup for the quick answer, or pick the station whose terrain most resembles your garden.

Planning a Michigan garden around these dates

Count back from the last spring frost to schedule indoor seed starting (the seed starting scheduler automates it), plant hardy crops in the weeks before the date, and hold tender crops — tomatoes, peppers, squash, basil — until after it. In fall, the first frost date is the deadline: crops must mature before it, which is what our planting calendar counts backwards for you. Crop-by-crop timing for every USDA zone lives under when to plant.