Homer, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season164 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Homer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Homer falls between April 18 and May 18, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 164-day growing season is longer than 57% 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 136 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Battle Creek, MI, 30 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 18 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
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 Homer, MI
Homer, MI frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 13, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Homer, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Coldwater St School, MI weather station, 25 km away (elevation 984 ft (300 m)).
Frost dates near Homer
- Litchfield May 3 · Oct 12
- Albion May 1 · Oct 14
- Concord May 1 · Oct 14
- Mosherville May 3 · Oct 12
- Tekonsha May 2 · Oct 13
- Marshall Apr 30 · Oct 19
- Hanover May 3 · Oct 12
- Allen May 3 · Oct 12
- Quincy May 2 · Oct 13
- Jonesville May 3 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Homer, MI?
The median last spring frost in Homer, MI is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Homer, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Homer, MI?
About 164 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Homer, MI?
Homer, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.