Frost dates for 48706 — Bay City, MI
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season164 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Bay City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bay City falls between April 20 and May 23, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 164-day growing season is longer than 57% 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 158 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Flint, MI, 69 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
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 Bay City, MI
Frost dates for 48706 — Bay City, MI — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 14, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
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 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
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 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bay City, 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 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| 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 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| 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 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Auburn 2ne, MI weather station, 6 km away (elevation 604 ft (184 m)).
ZIP codes in Bay City: 48706 48707 48708
Frost dates near Bay City
- University Center Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Kawkawlin May 3 · Oct 14
- Essexville Apr 27 · Oct 20
- Auburn May 3 · Oct 14
- Carrollton Apr 29 · Oct 21
- Munger Apr 27 · Oct 20
- Linwood May 3 · Oct 14
- Freeland Apr 26 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bay City, MI?
The median last spring frost in Bay City, MI is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bay City, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Bay City, MI?
About 164 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bay City, MI?
Bay City, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.