Frost dates for 49530 — Grand Rapids, MI
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Grand Rapids compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Grand Rapids falls between April 24 and May 23, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 157-day growing season is longer than 40% 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 143 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 24 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 Grand Rapids, MI
Frost dates for 49530 — Grand Rapids, MI — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 10, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
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 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
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 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Grand Rapids, 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 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| 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 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| 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 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
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 E Grand Rapids, MI weather station, 12 km away (elevation 745 ft (227 m)).
ZIP codes in Grand Rapids: 49501 49502 49503 49504 49505 49506 49507 49508 49510 49512 49514 49515 49516 49518 49523 49525 49528 49530 49534 49544 49546 49548 49555 49560 49588 49599
Frost dates near Grand Rapids
- Belmont May 6 · Oct 10
- Cannonsburg May 6 · Oct 10
- Rockford May 6 · Oct 10
- Ada Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Comstock Park May 6 · Oct 10
- Lowell Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Sparta May 14 · Sep 29
- Wyoming May 6 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median last spring frost in Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Grand Rapids, MI?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Grand Rapids, MI?
Grand Rapids, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.