Applegate, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season173 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Applegate compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Applegate falls between April 20 and May 20, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 173-day growing season is longer than 79% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 140 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Clinton Township, MI, 89 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Applegate, MI
Applegate, MI frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 24, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Applegate, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Lexington Wtp, MI weather station, 14 km away (elevation 623 ft (190 m)).
Frost dates near Applegate
- Carsonville May 2 · Oct 16
- Croswell May 4 · Oct 24
- Port Sanilac May 4 · Oct 24
- Lexington May 4 · Oct 24
- Sandusky May 2 · Oct 16
- Peck May 12 · Oct 5
- Deckerville May 2 · Oct 16
- Melvin May 12 · Oct 5
- Snover May 2 · Oct 16
- Jeddo May 12 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Applegate, MI?
The median last spring frost in Applegate, MI is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Applegate, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Applegate, MI?
About 173 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Applegate, MI?
Applegate, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.