Frost dates for 49037 — Battle Creek, MI
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season159 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 21 and May 23, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 159-day growing season is longer than 44% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 142 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kalamazoo, MI, 30 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 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 Battle Creek, MI
Frost dates for 49037 — Battle Creek, MI — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 12, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
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 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
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 5nw, MI weather station, 4 km away (elevation 922 ft (281 m)).
ZIP codes in Battle Creek: 49014 49015 49016 49017 49018 49037
Frost dates near Battle Creek
- Bedford May 6 · Oct 12
- Augusta Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Climax Apr 30 · Oct 19
- East Leroy Apr 30 · Oct 19
- Ceresco Apr 30 · Oct 19
- Hickory Corners Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Dowling May 6 · Oct 12
- 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 May 6. 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 Battle Creek, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Battle Creek, MI?
About 159 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.