Frost dates for 48209 — Detroit, MI
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season181 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Detroit compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Detroit falls between April 12 and May 11, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 181-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later 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 125 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Detroit, MI
Frost dates for 48209 — Detroit, MI — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 25, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Detroit, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Dearborn #2, MI weather station, 6 km away (elevation 604 ft (184 m)).
ZIP codes in Detroit: 48201 48202 48204 48205 48206 48207 48208 48209 48210 48211 48213 48214 48215 48216 48217 48219 48221 48222 48223 48224 48226 48227 48228 48231 48232 48233 48234 48235 48238 48242 48243 48244 48255 48260 48264 48265 48266 48267 48268 48269 48272 48275 48277 48278 48279 48288
Frost dates near Detroit
- River Rouge Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Melvindale May 1 · Oct 15
- Ecorse May 1 · Oct 15
- Dearborn May 1 · Oct 15
- Lincoln Park May 1 · Oct 15
- Allen Park May 1 · Oct 15
- Garden City May 1 · Oct 15
- Hamtramck Apr 21 · Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Detroit, MI?
The median last spring frost in Detroit, MI is April 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Detroit, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Detroit, MI?
About 181 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Detroit, MI?
Detroit, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.