Frost dates for 48269 — Detroit, MI
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season193 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Detroit compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Detroit falls between April 7 and May 6, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 193-day growing season is among the longest of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 6b, where the median is Apr 22.
- The weather station records an average of 113 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 7 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 48269 — Detroit, MI — last frost Apr 21, first frost Oct 31, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Detroit, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Detroit City Ap, MI weather station, 9 km away (elevation 627 ft (191 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
- Hamtramck Apr 21 · Oct 31
- River Rouge Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Highland Park Apr 21 · Oct 31
- Ecorse May 1 · Oct 15
- Melvindale May 1 · Oct 15
- Dearborn May 1 · Oct 15
- Grosse Pointe Apr 29 · Oct 22
- Lincoln Park May 1 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Detroit, MI?
The median last spring frost in Detroit, MI is April 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, 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 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Detroit, MI?
About 193 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.