Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Detroit, Michigan

Typical last spring frost April 21 (1 spring in 10 later than May 6). Typical first fall frost October 31 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 17). Growing season about 190 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 7 and fades out by May 6. It is unlikely from then until October 17, and likely again after November 11. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 21 and October 31.

January

Nothing to start this month.

February

  • February 3 to March 3: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • February 17 to March 17: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 3 to 24: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • March 10 to 24: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 17 to 31: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 24 to April 7: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 24 to April 7: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

April

  • April 7 to 21: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 7 to 21: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 21: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 5: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • May 5: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)

June

  • June 5 to 19: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)
  • June 25 to July 9: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

Nothing to start this month.

August

  • August 4: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 8: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 9: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 13: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 14: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 18: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 28: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 7: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 17: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 17: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 16 to 23: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Detroit City Airport (station USW00014822), 5 miles from the center of Detroit. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/michigan/detroit/

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