Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Sterling Heights, Michigan

Typical last spring frost April 30 (1 spring in 10 later than May 15). Typical first fall frost October 24 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 7). Growing season about 174 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 16 and fades out by May 15. It is unlikely from then until October 7, and likely again after November 3. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 30 and October 24.

January

Nothing to start this month.

February

  • February 12 to March 12: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • February 26 to March 26: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 12 to April 2: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • March 19 to April 2: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 26 to April 9: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)

April

  • April 2 to 16: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • April 2 to 16: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)
  • April 16 to 30: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 16 to 30: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 30: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 14: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • May 14: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)
  • May 29 to June 12: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

June

  • June 18 to July 2: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 28: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)

August

  • August 1: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 2: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 6: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 7: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 11: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 21: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 31: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 10: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 7: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 10 to 17: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Mount Clemens Ang Base (station USW00014804), 10 miles from the center of Sterling Heights. 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/sterling-heights/

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