Frost dates for 48605 — Saginaw, MI
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Saginaw compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Saginaw falls between April 13 and May 13, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 82% 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 139 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Flint, MI, 56 km away, the last frost here is 7 days earlier than there and the growing season is 11 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 48605 — Saginaw, MI — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 17, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
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 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Mbs Intl Ap, MI weather station, 9 km away (elevation 659 ft (201 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
- University Center Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Freeland Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Hemlock Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Auburn May 3 · Oct 14
- Bridgeport Apr 29 · Oct 21
- Saint Charles Apr 29 · Oct 21
- Bay City Apr 27 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Saginaw, MI?
The median last spring frost in Saginaw, MI is April 26. 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 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Saginaw, MI?
About 174 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.