Frost dates for 48219 — Detroit, MI
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Detroit compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Detroit falls between April 19 and May 16, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 72% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 146 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 48219 — Detroit, MI — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 17, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
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 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Farmington, MI weather station, 10 km away (elevation 722 ft (220 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
- Redford May 1 · Oct 17
- Oak Park Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Southfield May 1 · Oct 17
- Huntington Woods Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Berkley May 1 · Oct 17
- Pleasant Ridge Apr 21 · Oct 31
- Ferndale Apr 21 · Oct 31
- Livonia May 1 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Detroit, MI?
The median last spring frost in Detroit, MI is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, 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 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Detroit, MI?
About 169 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.