Frost dates for 49351 — Rockford, MI
Last spring frostMay 14median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season138 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Rockford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rockford falls between April 29 and May 31, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 12.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 138-day growing season is longer than 22% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 15 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 167 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Rapids, MI, 16 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 19 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 29 |
| 50% (median) | May 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 12 |
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 Rockford, MI
Frost dates for 49351 — Rockford, MI — last frost May 14, first frost Sep 29, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: Jun 4 to Jun 18Sow outdoors: Jun 4 to Jun 18
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Apr 16 to Apr 23Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 11Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 18
Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rockford, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Apr 16 – May 21 | Aug 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | Jun 4 – Jun 18 | — |
| Basil | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 9 – May 21 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | — | May 21 – Jun 4 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | — | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 16 – Apr 23 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 30 – May 28 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 28 – Jun 18 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
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 Kent City 2 Sw, MI weather station, 19 km away (elevation 840 ft (256 m)).
ZIP codes in Rockford: 49341 49351
Frost dates near Rockford
- Belmont May 6 · Oct 10
- Cannonsburg May 6 · Oct 10
- Cedar Springs May 14 · Sep 29
- Sparta May 14 · Sep 29
- Comstock Park May 6 · Oct 10
- Grand Rapids May 6 · Oct 10
- Ada Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Kent City May 14 · Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rockford, MI?
The median last spring frost in Rockford, MI is May 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rockford, MI?
The median first fall frost is September 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Rockford, MI?
About 138 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rockford, MI?
Rockford, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.