Covington, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 17median date
First fall frostSep 30median date
Growing season136 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Covington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Covington falls between May 2 and May 30, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 14.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 136-day growing season is longer than 18% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 4a median of May 12. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4a 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 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 30 |
| 90% (late) | October 14 |
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 Covington, MI
Covington, MI frost dates — last frost May 17, first frost Sep 30, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 21
Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Covington, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 19 – May 24 | Aug 5 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Basil | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 24 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 16 – Oct 21 |
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 Covington 1nnw, MI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 1,611 ft (491 m)).
Frost dates near Covington
- Watton May 25 · Sep 25
- Sidnaw May 25 · Sep 25
- Lanse May 31 · Sep 22
- Pelkie May 25 · Sep 23
- Baraga May 25 · Sep 23
- Michigamme frost any month
- Amasa Jun 6 · Sep 9
- Nisula May 23 · Oct 1
- Trout Creek May 31 · Sep 19
- Republic frost any month
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Covington, MI?
The median last spring frost in Covington, MI is May 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Covington, MI?
The median first fall frost is September 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Covington, MI?
About 136 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Covington, MI?
Covington, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.