Sturgis, MI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season178 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Sturgis compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sturgis falls between April 13 and May 14, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 178-day growing season is longer than 90% 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 140 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Elkhart, IN, 47 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is the same length.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
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 Sturgis, MI
Sturgis, MI frost dates — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 21, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sturgis, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Lagrange, IN weather station, 18 km away (elevation 899 ft (274 m)).
Frost dates near Sturgis
- Burr Oak Apr 26 · Oct 21
- Nottawa Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Centreville Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Colon Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Constantine Apr 30 · Oct 17
- White Pigeon Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Bronson May 2 · Oct 13
- Mendon Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Three Rivers Apr 30 · Oct 17
- Leonidas Apr 30 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sturgis, MI?
The median last spring frost in Sturgis, MI is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sturgis, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in Sturgis, MI?
About 178 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sturgis, MI?
Sturgis, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.