Arcadia, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 7median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season166 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Arcadia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Arcadia falls between April 23 and May 25, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 166-day growing season is longer than 62% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 15 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 146 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Arcadia, MI
Arcadia, MI frost dates — last frost May 7, first frost Oct 20, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 14Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 11
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Arcadia, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 9 – May 14 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Basil | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 2 – May 14 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Beulah 7ssw, MI weather station, 6 km away (elevation 774 ft (236 m)).
Frost dates near Arcadia
- Elberta May 2 · Oct 26
- Bear Lake May 7 · Oct 20
- Benzonia May 7 · Oct 20
- Frankfort May 2 · Oct 26
- Onekama May 14 · Oct 12
- Beulah May 7 · Oct 20
- Thompsonville May 7 · Oct 20
- Kaleva May 28 · Sep 25
- Honor May 2 · Oct 26
- Copemish May 7 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Arcadia, MI?
The median last spring frost in Arcadia, MI is May 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Arcadia, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Arcadia, MI?
About 166 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Arcadia, MI?
Arcadia, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.