Frost dates for 49201 — Jackson, MI
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season166 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Jackson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Jackson falls between April 16 and May 18, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 166-day growing season is longer than 62% 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 137 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Ann Arbor, MI, 51 km away, the last frost here is 7 days earlier than there and the growing season is 17 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 Jackson, MI
Frost dates for 49201 — Jackson, MI — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 14, 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 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
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 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
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 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Jackson, 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 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| 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 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| 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 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| 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 Jackson Reynolds Fld, MI weather station, 7 km away (elevation 997 ft (304 m)).
ZIP codes in Jackson: 49201 49202 49203 49204
Frost dates near Jackson
- Michigan Center May 1 · Oct 14
- Spring Arbor May 1 · Oct 14
- Clarklake May 1 · Oct 14
- Pleasant Lake May 1 · Oct 14
- Napoleon Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Rives Junction May 1 · Oct 14
- Grass Lake Apr 30 · Oct 12
- Munith Apr 30 · Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Jackson, MI?
The median last spring frost in Jackson, 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 Jackson, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Jackson, MI?
About 166 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Jackson, MI?
Jackson, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.