Frost dates for 49546 — Grand Rapids, MI
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season174 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 14 and May 15, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 82% 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 133 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
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 49546 — Grand Rapids, MI — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 20, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
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 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Grand Rapids, MI weather station, 4 km away (elevation 778 ft (237 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
- Ada Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Caledonia Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Wyoming May 6 · Oct 10
- Lowell Apr 29 · Oct 20
- Alto Apr 30 · Oct 14
- Belmont May 6 · Oct 10
- Cannonsburg May 6 · Oct 10
- Grandville 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 April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, 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 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Grand Rapids, MI?
About 174 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.