Dexter, MI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season165 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Dexter compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dexter falls between April 18 and May 17, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 165-day growing season is longer than 60% 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 141 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Ann Arbor, MI, 15 km away, the last frost here is 8 days earlier than there and the growing season is 16 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Dexter, MI
Dexter, MI frost dates — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 12, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dexter, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
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 Chelsea, MI weather station, 10 km away (elevation 899 ft (274 m)).
Frost dates near Dexter
- Pinckney Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Chelsea Apr 30 · Oct 12
- Lakeland May 5 · Oct 13
- Whitmore Lake May 5 · Oct 13
- Hamburg May 5 · Oct 13
- Ann Arbor May 8 · Oct 4
- Gregory Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Bridgewater May 2 · Oct 11
- South Lyon May 5 · Oct 13
- Saline May 2 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dexter, MI?
The median last spring frost in Dexter, MI is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dexter, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Dexter, MI?
About 165 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dexter, MI?
Dexter, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.