Frost Dates for Flint, MI

In Flint, MI, the average last spring frost is around May 3 and the average first fall frost around Oct 13, for a growing season of about 162 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 20, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMay 350% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 20only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 1350% chance of frost before this date
Growing season162 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Flint 7W, MI weather station, 4 miles away, elevation 679 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%May 20Sep 30
20%May 14Oct 4
30%May 10Oct 7
40%May 5Oct 10
50%May 3Oct 13
60%Apr 30Oct 16
70%Apr 28Oct 19
80%Apr 24Oct 23
90%Apr 20Oct 27

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)May 14Oct 2
Frost / freeze (32°F)May 3Oct 13
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 22Oct 27

Planting calendar for Flint

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant May 10 – May 24
Peppers
Indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant May 17 – May 31
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant May 17 – May 31
Basil
Indoors Mar 22 – Apr 5
Transplant May 10 – May 24
Cucumbers
Indoors Apr 5 – Apr 12
Sow or transplant May 10 – May 24
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Apr 5 – Apr 12
Sow or transplant May 10 – May 24
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow May 10 – May 24
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Apr 5 – Apr 12
Sow or transplant May 17 – May 31
Green beans
Sow May 10 – May 24
Sweet corn
Sow May 10 – May 24
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 22 – Apr 5
Sow or transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Fall sowing Aug 18 – Sep 15
Spinach
Sow Mar 22 – Apr 12
Fall sowing Aug 18 – Sep 8
Peas
Sow Mar 22 – Apr 5
Fall sowing Aug 4 – Aug 18
Kale
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 22
Sow or transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Fall sowing Aug 4 – Sep 1
Broccoli
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Apr 19 – May 3
Fall sowing Jul 21 – Aug 4
Cabbage
Indoors Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Fall sowing Jul 21 – Aug 4
Carrots
Sow Apr 12 – May 3
Fall sowing Jul 21 – Aug 4
Radishes
Sow Mar 29 – Apr 19
Fall sowing Sep 1 – Sep 22
Beets
Sow Apr 12 – May 3
Fall sowing Aug 4 – Aug 18
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22
Plant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Potatoes
Plant Apr 12 – Apr 26
Garlic
Plant Oct 13 – Nov 10

Based on the average last frost (May 3) and first frost (Oct 13). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

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