Frost dates for 49081 — Portage, MI
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season173 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Portage compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Portage falls between April 13 and May 13, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 173-day growing season is longer than 79% 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 129 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Portage shares its weather station with Kalamazoo, MI, 13 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Portage, MI
Frost dates for 49081 — Portage, MI — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 18, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Portage, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 Kalamazoo Battle Ck Intl Ap, MI weather station, 9 km away (elevation 869 ft (265 m)).
ZIP codes in Portage: 49002 49024 49081
Frost dates near Portage
- Schoolcraft Apr 28 · Oct 18
- Oshtemo Apr 28 · Oct 18
- Nazareth Apr 28 · Oct 18
- Vicksburg Apr 28 · Oct 18
- Scotts Apr 28 · Oct 18
- Kalamazoo Apr 28 · Oct 18
- Comstock Apr 28 · Oct 18
- Mattawan Apr 28 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Portage, MI?
The median last spring frost in Portage, MI is April 28. 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 Portage, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Portage, MI?
About 173 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Portage, MI?
Portage, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.