Saline, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 11median date
Growing season162 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Saline compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Saline falls between April 17 and May 18, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 3 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 typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 153 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Ann Arbor, MI, 11 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 13 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 17 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 11 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Saline, MI
Saline, MI frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 11, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Nov 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Saline, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 27 – Nov 1 |
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 Saline Wwtp, MI weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 751 ft (229 m)).
Frost dates near Saline
- Bridgewater May 2 · Oct 11
- Ann Arbor May 8 · Oct 4
- Milan Apr 26 · Oct 19
- Ypsilanti Apr 24 · Oct 24
- Whittaker May 3 · Oct 10
- Clinton May 3 · Oct 13
- Willis May 3 · Oct 10
- Manchester Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Azalia Apr 27 · Oct 21
- Britton May 3 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Saline, MI?
The median last spring frost in Saline, MI is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Saline, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Saline, MI?
About 162 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Saline, MI?
Saline, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.