Frost dates for 48602 — Saginaw, MI
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season175 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Saginaw compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Saginaw falls between April 14 and May 13, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 175-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 143 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Flint, MI, 50 km away, the last frost here is 4 days earlier than there and the growing season is 12 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
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 Saginaw, MI
Frost dates for 48602 — Saginaw, MI — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 21, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Saginaw, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Saginaw #3, MI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 600 ft (183 m)).
ZIP codes in Saginaw: 48601 48602 48603 48604 48605 48606 48607 48608 48609 48638 48663
Frost dates near Saginaw
- Carrollton Apr 29 · Oct 21
- Bridgeport Apr 29 · Oct 21
- University Center Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Freeland Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Munger Apr 27 · Oct 20
- Hemlock Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Burt Apr 29 · Oct 21
- Frankenmuth May 3 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Saginaw, MI?
The median last spring frost in Saginaw, MI is April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Saginaw, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in Saginaw, MI?
About 175 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Saginaw, MI?
Saginaw, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.