Gladstone, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 19median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season135 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Gladstone compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Gladstone falls between May 2 and June 3, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 16 and October 16.
- The median last frost is 14 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 135-day growing season is longer than 17% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 16 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 181 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 2 |
| 50% (median) | May 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 1 |
| 90% (late) | October 16 |
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 Gladstone, MI
Gladstone, MI frost dates — last frost May 19, first frost Oct 1, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23Sow outdoors: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Apr 21 to Apr 28Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19
Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 23
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Gladstone, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Apr 21 – May 26 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 5 – May 19 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — |
| Basil | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 26 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 5 – Jun 2 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 2 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
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 Cornell 5se, MI weather station, 7 km away (elevation 794 ft (242 m)).
Frost dates near Gladstone
- Cornell May 19 · Oct 1
- Wells May 13 · Oct 7
- Perkins May 18 · Oct 4
- Escanaba May 13 · Oct 7
- Rapid River May 18 · Oct 4
- Rock May 18 · Oct 4
- Bark River May 13 · Oct 7
- Harris May 13 · Oct 7
- Perronville May 19 · Oct 1
- Wilson May 13 · Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Gladstone, MI?
The median last spring frost in Gladstone, MI is May 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Gladstone, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 16.
How long is the growing season in Gladstone, MI?
About 135 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Gladstone, MI?
Gladstone, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.