Reading, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season162 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Reading compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Reading falls between April 20 and May 19, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 162-day growing season is longer than 49% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 148 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Battle Creek, MI, 58 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Reading, MI
Reading, MI frost dates — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 12, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Reading, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
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 Hillsdale, MI weather station, 14 km away (elevation 1,079 ft (329 m)).
Frost dates near Reading
- Montgomery Apr 30 · Oct 16
- Camden Apr 28 · Oct 18
- Allen May 3 · Oct 12
- Osseo May 3 · Oct 12
- Quincy May 2 · Oct 13
- Hillsdale May 3 · Oct 12
- Frontier May 3 · Oct 12
- Jonesville May 3 · Oct 12
- Litchfield May 3 · Oct 12
- Coldwater May 2 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Reading, MI?
The median last spring frost in Reading, MI is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Reading, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Reading, MI?
About 162 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Reading, MI?
Reading, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.