Buchanan, MI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season181 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Buchanan compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Buchanan falls between April 10 and May 14, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 181-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 124 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with South Bend, IN, 21 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 2 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 10 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Buchanan, MI
Buchanan, MI frost dates — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 25, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Buchanan, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Niles, MI weather station, 9 km away (elevation 650 ft (198 m)).
Frost dates near Buchanan
- Galien Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Niles Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Berrien Springs Apr 22 · Oct 30
- Berrien Center Apr 22 · Oct 30
- New Troy Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Baroda May 5 · Oct 15
- Sawyer Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Bridgman May 5 · Oct 15
- Three Oaks Apr 19 · Oct 27
- Eau Claire Apr 22 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Buchanan, MI?
The median last spring frost in Buchanan, MI is April 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Buchanan, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Buchanan, MI?
About 181 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Buchanan, MI?
Buchanan, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.