Hamilton, MI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season176 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Hamilton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Hamilton falls between April 13 and May 16, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 176-day growing season is longer than 85% 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 123 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Wyoming, MI, 32 km away, the last frost here is 8 days earlier than there and the growing season is 19 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Hamilton, MI
Hamilton, MI frost dates — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 21, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hamilton, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Holland Tulip City Ap, MI weather station, 12 km away (elevation 689 ft (210 m)).
Frost dates near Hamilton
- Burnips May 4 · Oct 15
- Zeeland Apr 28 · Oct 21
- Saugatuck Apr 28 · Oct 21
- Holland Apr 28 · Oct 21
- Fennville Apr 28 · Oct 21
- Dorr May 4 · Oct 15
- Jamestown May 6 · Oct 10
- Douglas Apr 28 · Oct 21
- Allegan May 4 · Oct 15
- Hopkins May 4 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hamilton, MI?
The median last spring frost in Hamilton, MI is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Hamilton, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Hamilton, MI?
About 176 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hamilton, MI?
Hamilton, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.