Elkton, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season162 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Elkton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Elkton falls between April 24 and May 22, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 162-day growing season is longer than 49% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later 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 151 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Flint, MI, 101 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 24 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Elkton, MI
Elkton, MI frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Oct 17, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Elkton, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 10 – May 15 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Filion 5nnw, MI weather station, 12 km away (elevation 636 ft (194 m)).
Frost dates near Elkton
- Pigeon May 8 · Oct 17
- Owendale May 7 · Oct 10
- Bay Port May 8 · Oct 17
- Caseville May 8 · Oct 17
- Bad Axe May 5 · Oct 19
- Filion May 8 · Oct 17
- Kinde May 8 · Oct 17
- Gagetown May 7 · Oct 10
- Ubly May 5 · Oct 19
- Sebewaing May 7 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Elkton, MI?
The median last spring frost in Elkton, MI is May 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Elkton, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Elkton, MI?
About 162 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Elkton, MI?
Elkton, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.