Chatham 1 SE, MI Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Chatham 1 SE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 27
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
124 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 11 May 27 Jun 12
First fall frost Oct 12 Sep 28 Sep 9
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 12 · first Oct 11

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CHATHAM 1 SE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Chatham 1 SE

Computed from Chatham 1 SE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Apr 1 – Apr 15 Jun 3 – Jun 10
🫑 Peppers Mar 18 – Apr 1 Jun 10 – Jun 17
🥬 Lettuce Apr 15 – Apr 29 Apr 29 – May 13 Apr 29 – May 27
🫛 Peas Apr 15 – Apr 29
🥕 Carrots May 6 – May 27
🥦 Broccoli Apr 8 – Apr 22 May 6 – May 20
🥬 Kale Apr 15 – Apr 29 Apr 29 – May 13 Apr 29 – May 13
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 29 – May 6 Jun 3 – Jun 10 Jun 3 – Jun 10
🥒 Zucchini Apr 29 – May 6 Jun 3 – Jun 10 Jun 3 – Jun 10
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 3 – Jun 10
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 3 – Jun 10
🌿 Basil Apr 15 – Apr 29 Jun 3 – Jun 10 Jun 10 – Jun 17
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 17 – Sep 14

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Chatham 1 SE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Chatham 1 SE

At about 124 frost-free days, Chatham 1 SE rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Chatham 1 SE, MI?

The average last spring frost in Chatham 1 SE is around May 27, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Chatham 1 SE, MI?

The average first fall frost in Chatham 1 SE arrives around Sep 28. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Chatham 1 SE?

About 124 frost-free days on average, from May 27 to Sep 28. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Chatham 1 SE in?

USDA zone 5a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.