Frost dates for 48348 — Clarkston, MI
Last spring frostMay 10median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season149 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Clarkston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Clarkston falls between April 25 and May 26, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 24 and October 21.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 149-day growing season is longer than 32% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 11 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 151 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Waterford, MI, 12 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 25 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 25 |
| 50% (median) | May 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 24 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 21 |
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 Clarkston, MI
Frost dates for 48348 — Clarkston, MI — last frost May 10, first frost Oct 6, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 14
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Clarkston, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 12 – May 17 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Basil | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 5 – May 17 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
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 White Lake 4e, MI weather station, 9 km away (elevation 1,053 ft (321 m)).
ZIP codes in Clarkston: 48346 48347 48348
Frost dates near Clarkston
- Ortonville May 1 · Oct 14
- Drayton Plains Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Davisburg May 10 · Oct 6
- Lake Orion Apr 26 · Oct 22
- Waterford Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Auburn Hills Apr 26 · Oct 22
- White Lake May 10 · Oct 6
- Oxford Apr 26 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Clarkston, MI?
The median last spring frost in Clarkston, MI is May 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Clarkston, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 24.
How long is the growing season in Clarkston, MI?
About 149 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Clarkston, MI?
Clarkston, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.