Atlanta, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 22median date
First fall frostSep 27median date
Growing season128 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Atlanta compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Atlanta falls between May 5 and June 5, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 12 and October 11.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 128-day growing season is longer than 9% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 19 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 193 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 5 |
| 50% (median) | May 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 12 |
| 50% (median) | September 27 |
| 90% (late) | October 11 |
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 Atlanta, MI
Atlanta, MI frost dates — last frost May 22, first frost Sep 27, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 21 to Jul 12
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Atlanta, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | Apr 24 – May 29 | Aug 2 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 21 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — |
| Basil | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Beets | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 13 – Oct 18 |
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 Atlanta, MI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 879 ft (268 m)).
Frost dates near Atlanta
- Hillman May 22 · Sep 27
- Johannesburg May 11 · Oct 6
- Lewiston May 11 · Oct 6
- Comins May 19 · Oct 2
- Fairview May 19 · Oct 2
- Lachine May 17 · Oct 1
- Mio May 19 · Oct 2
- Curran May 19 · Sep 29
- Onaway May 22 · Oct 2
- Herron May 17 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Atlanta, MI?
The median last spring frost in Atlanta, MI is May 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Atlanta, MI?
The median first fall frost is September 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 12.
How long is the growing season in Atlanta, MI?
About 128 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Atlanta, MI?
Atlanta, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.