Vassar, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 9median date
First fall frostOct 7median date
Growing season151 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Vassar compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Vassar falls between April 26 and May 24, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and October 21.
- The median last frost is 4 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 10 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 160 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Flint, MI, 41 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 12 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 7 |
| 90% (late) | October 21 |
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 Vassar, MI
Vassar, MI frost dates — last frost May 9, first frost Oct 7, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 13
Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Vassar, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 11 – May 16 | Aug 12 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 4 – May 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 23 – Oct 28 |
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 Vassar, MI weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 630 ft (192 m)).
Frost dates near Vassar
- Richville May 9 · Oct 7
- Millington May 9 · Oct 7
- Reese May 9 · Oct 7
- Frankenmuth May 3 · Oct 12
- Fairgrove May 7 · Oct 9
- Mayville May 7 · Oct 9
- Fostoria May 9 · Oct 7
- Birch Run May 3 · Oct 12
- Caro May 7 · Oct 9
- Otter Lake May 4 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Vassar, MI?
The median last spring frost in Vassar, MI is May 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Vassar, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Vassar, MI?
About 151 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Vassar, MI?
Vassar, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.