Shelby, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season151 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Shelby compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Shelby falls between April 25 and May 28, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 151-day growing season is longer than 34% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 13 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 151 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Rapids, MI, 93 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 25 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 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 Shelby, MI
Shelby, MI frost dates — last frost May 12, first frost Oct 10, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Shelby, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Aug 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
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 Hart 3 Wsw, MI weather station, 9 km away (elevation 771 ft (235 m)).
Frost dates near Shelby
- New Era May 19 · Oct 4
- Rothbury May 19 · Oct 4
- Mears May 12 · Oct 10
- Hart May 12 · Oct 10
- Montague May 19 · Oct 4
- Pentwater May 17 · Oct 7
- Hesperia May 17 · Oct 1
- Whitehall May 19 · Oct 4
- Holton May 8 · Oct 11
- Sylvan Beach May 19 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Shelby, MI?
The median last spring frost in Shelby, MI is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Shelby, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Shelby, MI?
About 151 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Shelby, MI?
Shelby, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.