Frost dates for 48550 — Flint, MI
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season163 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Flint compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Flint falls between April 20 and May 20, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 163-day growing season is longer than 55% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 148 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Sterling Heights, MI, 74 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Flint, MI
Frost dates for 48550 — Flint, MI — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 13, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Flint, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Flint 7w, MI weather station, 7 km away (elevation 679 ft (207 m)).
ZIP codes in Flint: 48501 48502 48503 48504 48505 48506 48507 48531 48532 48550 48551 48552 48553 48554 48555 48556 48557
Frost dates near Flint
- Burton May 8 · Oct 5
- Mount Morris May 8 · Oct 5
- Genesee May 8 · Oct 5
- Flushing May 3 · Oct 13
- Davison May 8 · Oct 5
- Grand Blanc May 1 · Oct 14
- Swartz Creek May 6 · Oct 10
- Clio May 3 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Flint, MI?
The median last spring frost in Flint, MI is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Flint, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Flint, MI?
About 163 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Flint, MI?
Flint, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.