Frost dates for 49017 — Battle Creek, MI
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season172 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Battle Creek compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Battle Creek falls between April 16 and May 17, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 172-day growing season is longer than 75% 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 130 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kalamazoo, MI, 33 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 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 Battle Creek, MI
Frost dates for 49017 — Battle Creek, MI — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 19, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Battle Creek, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
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 Battle Creek Kellogg Ap, MI weather station, 6 km away (elevation 928 ft (283 m)).
ZIP codes in Battle Creek: 49014 49015 49016 49017 49018 49037
Frost dates near Battle Creek
- Bedford May 6 · Oct 12
- Ceresco Apr 30 · Oct 19
- East Leroy Apr 30 · Oct 19
- Augusta Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Climax Apr 30 · Oct 19
- Bellevue May 6 · Oct 12
- Marshall Apr 30 · Oct 19
- Galesburg Apr 29 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Battle Creek, MI?
The median last spring frost in Battle Creek, MI is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Battle Creek, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Battle Creek, MI?
About 172 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Battle Creek, MI?
Battle Creek, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.