Marion, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 15median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season139 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Marion compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Marion falls between April 30 and May 30, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 18 and October 16.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 139-day growing season is longer than 24% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 175 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 18 |
| 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 Marion, MI
Marion, MI frost dates — last frost May 15, first frost Oct 1, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 19
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Marion, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 17 – May 22 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Basil | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 22 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| 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 Cadillac 9&10 News, MI weather station, 27 km away (elevation 1,362 ft (415 m)).
Frost dates near Marion
- Sears May 13 · Oct 2
- Lake George May 9 · Oct 4
- Evart May 13 · Oct 2
- Mc Bain May 22 · Sep 26
- Leroy May 15 · Oct 1
- Lake Apr 30 · Oct 20
- Falmouth May 30 · Sep 15
- Tustin May 15 · Oct 1
- Hersey May 13 · Oct 2
- Harrison May 9 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Marion, MI?
The median last spring frost in Marion, MI is May 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Marion, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 18.
How long is the growing season in Marion, MI?
About 139 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Marion, MI?
Marion, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.