Michigan Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Michigan gardeners.

Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b

The Short Answer

Michigan spans USDA zones 4a through 6b, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Upper Peninsula has an average last frost around May 15 - Jun 5, while Southern Michigan sees its last frost around Apr 25 - May 10. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Michigan Frost Dates by Region

Lake Michigan moderates western climate — excellent for fruit trees and berries. Lake effect snow in winter. Shorter season in UP.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Upper Peninsula	4a, 4b, 5a	May 15 - Jun 5	Sep 10 - Sep 25
Northern Lower Michigan	5a, 5b	May 10 - May 25	Sep 20 - Oct 5
Southern Michigan	5b, 6a, 6b	Apr 25 - May 10	Oct 1 - Oct 15

Soil & Growing Conditions

Sandy soils common, especially in western Michigan. Clay in some areas. Lake effect creates fruit belt along west coast.

What to Plant in Michigan

Michigan's short growing season rewards strategic planning. Cold-hardy crops are your strength, and warm-season crops need indoor starting. These are the best performers for Michigan's climate:

Top Picks for Michigan

Kale Garlic Potatoes Peas Carrots Lettuce Broccoli Beets Radishes Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cabbage Daffodils

Worth the Effort

With indoor starting and season extension, Michigan gardeners also grow excellent tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers. The long summer daylight hours drive faster growth than you'd expect:

Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Squash (Summer)Basil Sunflowers Zinnias Corn (Sweet)

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026