Frost dates for 48224 — Detroit, MI
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 22median date
Growing season176 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Detroit compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Detroit falls between April 15 and May 13, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 176-day growing season is longer than 85% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 124 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 22 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 48224 — Detroit, MI — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 22, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 12
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 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 27 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 8 – Nov 12 |
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 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI weather station, 5 km away (elevation 614 ft (187 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
- Grosse Pointe Apr 29 · Oct 22
- Harper Woods Apr 29 · Oct 22
- Eastpointe Apr 29 · Oct 22
- Hamtramck Apr 21 · Oct 31
- Center Line Apr 21 · Oct 31
- Roseville Apr 29 · Oct 22
- Saint Clair Shores Apr 29 · Oct 22
- Warren 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 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, 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 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Detroit, MI?
About 176 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.