Pickford, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 31median date
First fall frostSep 25median date
Growing season117 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Pickford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Pickford falls between May 14 and June 14, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 6 and October 8.
- The median last frost is 26 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 117-day growing season is longer than 3% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 23 days later than the zone 4b median of May 8. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 184 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 14 |
| 50% (median) | May 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 6 |
| 50% (median) | September 25 |
| 90% (late) | October 8 |
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 Pickford, MI
Pickford, MI frost dates — last frost May 31, first frost Sep 25, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 3 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 21 to Jul 5Sow outdoors: Jun 21 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 19 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 21Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: May 3 to May 10Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 28
Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Pickford, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 10 – May 24 | May 3 – Jun 7 | Jul 31 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 17 – May 31 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 17 – May 31 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | Jun 21 – Jul 5 | — |
| Basil | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 26 – Jun 7 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cucumbers | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 3 – May 10 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | May 3 – May 10 | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 3 – May 10 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Beets | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 17 – Jun 14 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
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 Pickford 3ne, MI weather station, 5 km away (elevation 630 ft (192 m)).
Frost dates near Pickford
- Hessel Jun 1 · Sep 21
- Cedarville May 31 · Sep 25
- Kinross May 24 · Oct 1
- Kincheloe May 24 · Oct 1
- Barbeau May 31 · Sep 25
- Goetzville May 31 · Sep 25
- Dafter May 24 · Oct 1
- Sault Sainte Marie May 9 · Oct 11
- Saint Ignace May 23 · Sep 30
- Rudyard May 24 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pickford, MI?
The median last spring frost in Pickford, MI is May 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Pickford, MI?
The median first fall frost is September 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 6.
How long is the growing season in Pickford, MI?
About 117 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Pickford, MI?
Pickford, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.