Maple Rapids, MI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Maple Rapids compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Maple Rapids falls between April 12 and May 12, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 179-day growing season is longer than 90% 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 144 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lansing, MI, 43 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 14 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Maple Rapids, MI
Maple Rapids, MI frost dates — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 24, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
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: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
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: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Maple Rapids, 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 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| 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 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| 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 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Saint Johns, MI weather station, 15 km away (elevation 745 ft (227 m)).
Frost dates near Maple Rapids
- Perrinton Apr 28 · Oct 24
- Middleton Apr 28 · Oct 24
- Pompeii Apr 28 · Oct 24
- Hubbardston May 3 · Oct 12
- Fowler Apr 28 · Oct 24
- Saint Johns Apr 28 · Oct 24
- Eureka Apr 28 · Oct 24
- Carson City May 3 · Oct 12
- Pewamo May 3 · Oct 12
- Ashley Apr 28 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Maple Rapids, MI?
The median last spring frost in Maple Rapids, MI is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Maple Rapids, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Maple Rapids, MI?
About 179 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Maple Rapids, MI?
Maple Rapids, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.