Riverdale, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season165 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Riverdale compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Riverdale falls between April 17 and May 19, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 165-day growing season is longer than 60% 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 156 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Rapids, MI, 78 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 8 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 17 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
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 Riverdale, MI
Riverdale, MI frost dates — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 13, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
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 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
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 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Riverdale, 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 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| 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 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| 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 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Alma, MI weather station, 16 km away (elevation 728 ft (222 m)).
Frost dates near Riverdale
- Elm Hall May 1 · Oct 13
- Vestaburg May 1 · Oct 13
- Elwell May 1 · Oct 13
- Cedar Lake Apr 30 · Oct 20
- Sumner May 1 · Oct 13
- Winn Apr 30 · Oct 20
- Alma May 1 · Oct 13
- Edmore Apr 30 · Oct 20
- Crystal May 1 · Oct 13
- Mcbrides May 18 · Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Riverdale, MI?
The median last spring frost in Riverdale, MI is May 1. 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 Riverdale, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Riverdale, MI?
About 165 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Riverdale, MI?
Riverdale, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.