Frost Dates for Garden City, MI
In Garden City, MI, the average last spring frost is around May 1 and the average first fall frost around Oct 15, for a growing season of about 166 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 18, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Dearborn, MI weather station, 5 miles away, elevation 605 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.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | May 18 | Oct 1 |
| 20% | May 12 | Oct 6 |
| 30% | May 8 | Oct 9 |
| 40% | May 4 | Oct 12 |
| 50% | May 1 | Oct 15 |
| 60% | Apr 29 | Oct 18 |
| 70% | Apr 26 | Oct 21 |
| 80% | Apr 22 | Oct 24 |
| 90% | Apr 17 | Oct 28 |
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.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 12 | Oct 5 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 | Oct 15 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 | Oct 28 |
Planting calendar for Garden City
Transplant May 8 – May 22
Transplant May 15 – May 29
Transplant May 15 – May 29
Transplant May 8 – May 22
Sow or transplant May 8 – May 22
Sow or transplant May 8 – May 22
Sow or transplant May 15 – May 29
Sow or transplant Apr 3 – Apr 17
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 17
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 10
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Aug 20
Sow or transplant Apr 3 – Apr 17
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Sep 3
Transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Fall sowing Jul 23 – Aug 6
Transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Fall sowing Jul 23 – Aug 6
Fall sowing Jul 23 – Aug 6
Fall sowing Sep 3 – Sep 24
Fall sowing Aug 6 – Aug 20
Plant Apr 3 – Apr 17
Based on the average last frost (May 1) and first frost (Oct 15). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.