Plymouth, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Plymouth compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Plymouth falls between April 19 and May 16, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 72% 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 146 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Canton, MI, 7 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Plymouth, MI
Plymouth, MI frost dates — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 17, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Plymouth, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Farmington, MI weather station, 15 km away (elevation 722 ft (220 m)).
Frost dates near Plymouth
- Northville May 1 · Oct 17
- Canton Apr 24 · Oct 24
- Salem May 3 · Oct 13
- Livonia May 1 · Oct 17
- Westland Apr 20 · Oct 27
- Novi May 1 · Oct 17
- Wayne Apr 20 · Oct 27
- Farmington May 1 · Oct 17
- Redford May 1 · Oct 17
- Inkster May 1 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Plymouth, MI?
The median last spring frost in Plymouth, MI is May 1. 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 Plymouth, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Plymouth, MI?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Plymouth, MI?
Plymouth, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.