Frost dates for 48312 — Sterling Heights, MI
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season177 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Sterling Heights compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sterling Heights falls between April 16 and May 15, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 177-day growing season is longer than 87% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 129 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Warren, MI, 8 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 16 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 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 Sterling Heights, MI
Frost dates for 48312 — Sterling Heights, MI — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 24, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sterling Heights, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Mt Clemens Ang Base, MI weather station, 16 km away (elevation 581 ft (177 m)).
ZIP codes in Sterling Heights: 48310 48311 48312 48313 48314
Frost dates near Sterling Heights
- Fraser Apr 30 · Oct 24
- Clinton Township Apr 30 · Oct 24
- Warren Apr 21 · Oct 31
- Roseville Apr 29 · Oct 22
- Center Line Apr 21 · Oct 31
- Madison Heights Apr 21 · Oct 31
- Mount Clemens Apr 30 · Oct 24
- Utica Apr 26 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sterling Heights, MI?
The median last spring frost in Sterling Heights, MI is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Sterling Heights, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Sterling Heights, MI?
About 177 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sterling Heights, MI?
Sterling Heights, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.