South Haven, MI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 17median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season202 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How South Haven compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in South Haven falls between April 3 and May 4, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 24 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 18 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 202-day growing season is among the longest of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 108 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kalamazoo, MI, 57 km away, the last frost here is 11 days earlier than there and the growing season is 29 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 3 |
| 50% (median) | April 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 24 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 South Haven, MI
South Haven, MI frost dates — last frost Apr 17, first frost Nov 5, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Transplant outside: May 1 to May 22
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in South Haven, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 24 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
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 S Haven, MI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 591 ft (180 m)).
Frost dates near South Haven
- Lacota Apr 17 · Nov 5
- Covert Apr 17 · Nov 5
- Bangor Apr 17 · Nov 5
- Glenn Apr 17 · Nov 5
- Pullman May 7 · Oct 11
- Breedsville May 7 · Oct 11
- Grand Junction May 7 · Oct 11
- Fennville Apr 28 · Oct 21
- Hagar Shores May 5 · Oct 15
- Hartford Apr 22 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in South Haven, MI?
The median last spring frost in South Haven, MI is April 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in South Haven, MI?
The median first fall frost is November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 24.
How long is the growing season in South Haven, MI?
About 202 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is South Haven, MI?
South Haven, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.