Berrien Center, MI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season191 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Berrien Center compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Berrien Center falls between April 6 and May 7, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 13 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 191-day growing season is longer than 97% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 7 days earlier 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 122 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with South Bend, IN, 32 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 8 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
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 Berrien Center, MI
Berrien Center, MI frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 30, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Berrien Center, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
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 Eau Claire 4 Ne, MI weather station, 8 km away (elevation 840 ft (256 m)).
Frost dates near Berrien Center
- Berrien Springs Apr 22 · Oct 30
- Eau Claire Apr 22 · Oct 30
- Sodus May 5 · Oct 15
- Buchanan Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Dowagiac May 4 · Oct 11
- Niles Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Baroda May 5 · Oct 15
- Stevensville May 5 · Oct 15
- Saint Joseph May 5 · Oct 15
- Bridgman May 5 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Berrien Center, MI?
The median last spring frost in Berrien Center, MI is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Berrien Center, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Berrien Center, MI?
About 191 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Berrien Center, MI?
Berrien Center, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.