Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Typical last spring frost April 29 (1 spring in 10 later than May 15). Typical first fall frost October 20 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 4). Growing season about 174 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 14 and fades out by May 15. It is unlikely from then until October 4, and likely again after November 2. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 29 and October 20.

January

Nothing to start this month.

February

  • February 11 to March 11: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • February 25 to March 25: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 11 to April 1: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • March 18 to April 1: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 25 to April 8: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)

April

  • April 1 to 15: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • April 1 to 15: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)
  • April 15 to 29: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 15 to 29: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 29: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 13: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • May 13: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)
  • May 25 to June 8: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

June

  • June 14 to 28: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 24: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 28: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 29: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)

August

  • August 2: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 3: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 7: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 17: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 27: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 6: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 4: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 9 to 16: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Grand Rapids (station USW00094860), 7 miles from the center of Grand Rapids. 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/grand-rapids/

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