Frost dates for 48908 — Lansing, MI
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season167 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Lansing compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lansing falls between April 19 and May 18, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 167-day growing season is longer than 65% 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 149 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Rapids, MI, 76 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 10 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Lansing, MI
Frost dates for 48908 — Lansing, MI — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 15, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lansing, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Charlotte, MI weather station, 5 km away (elevation 902 ft (275 m)).
ZIP codes in Lansing: 48901 48906 48908 48909 48910 48911 48912 48913 48915 48916 48917 48918 48919 48922 48924 48929 48930 48933 48937 48951 48956 48980
Frost dates near Lansing
- Charlotte May 1 · Oct 15
- Potterville May 1 · Oct 15
- Vermontville May 1 · Oct 15
- Mulliken May 1 · Oct 15
- Dimondale Apr 28 · Oct 17
- Eaton Rapids Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Olivet May 1 · Oct 15
- Grand Ledge May 1 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lansing, MI?
The median last spring frost in Lansing, MI is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lansing, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Lansing, MI?
About 167 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lansing, MI?
Lansing, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.