Watton, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 25median date
First fall frostSep 25median date
Growing season123 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Watton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Watton falls between May 7 and June 11, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 10 and October 10.
- The median last frost is 20 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 123-day growing season is longer than 5% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 17 days later than the zone 4b median of May 8. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 189 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 7 |
| 50% (median) | May 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 10 |
| 50% (median) | September 25 |
| 90% (late) | October 10 |
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 Watton, MI
Watton, MI frost dates — last frost May 25, first frost Sep 25, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29Sow outdoors: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 15Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 22Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Watton, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 4 – May 18 | Apr 27 – Jun 1 | Jul 31 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 11 – May 25 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 11 – May 25 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — |
| Basil | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Jul 3 – Jul 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 20 – Jun 1 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 27 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 27 – May 4 | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 27 – May 4 | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 27 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
| Beets | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 1 – Jun 22 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
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 Watton 2wsw, MI weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,394 ft (425 m)).
Frost dates near Watton
- Covington May 17 · Sep 30
- Sidnaw May 25 · Sep 25
- Pelkie May 25 · Sep 23
- Lanse May 31 · Sep 22
- Baraga May 25 · Sep 23
- Trout Creek May 31 · Sep 19
- Nisula May 23 · Oct 1
- Amasa Jun 6 · Sep 9
- Michigamme frost any month
- Mass City May 23 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Watton, MI?
The median last spring frost in Watton, MI is May 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Watton, MI?
The median first fall frost is September 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 10.
How long is the growing season in Watton, MI?
About 123 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Watton, MI?
Watton, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.