Frost dates for 48278 — Detroit, MI
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season167 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Detroit compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Detroit falls between April 17 and May 18, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 167-day growing season is longer than 65% 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 136 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 17 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 48278 — Detroit, MI — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 15, 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 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
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 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
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 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
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 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| 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 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| 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 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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, MI weather station, 11 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
- Ecorse May 1 · Oct 15
- Lincoln Park May 1 · Oct 15
- River Rouge Apr 27 · Oct 25
- Wyandotte May 1 · Oct 15
- Allen Park May 1 · Oct 15
- Melvindale May 1 · Oct 15
- Southgate Apr 20 · Oct 27
- Dearborn May 1 · Oct 15
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 18, 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 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Detroit, MI?
About 167 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.