When to Plant Potatoes in Michigan
In Michigan, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Mar 29 – Apr 12 in Port Huron to Apr 17 – May 1 in Burton. In Detroit, it's Apr 6 – Apr 20. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 19 in Port Huron, May 8 in Burton), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in Michigan by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | 6a | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Battle Creek | 6a | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Bay City | 6a | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Burton | 6a | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Dearborn | 6b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Dearborn Heights | 6b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Detroit | 6b | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| East Lansing | 6a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Eastpointe | 6b | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Farmington Hills | 6a | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Flint | 6a | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Grand Rapids | 6a | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Holland | 6b | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Jackson | 6a | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Kalamazoo | 6a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Kentwood | 6a | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Lansing | 6a | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Lincoln Park | 6b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Livonia | 6b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Madison Heights | 6b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Midland | 6a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Muskegon | 6b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Novi | 6a | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Oak Park | 6b | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Pontiac | 6a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Port Huron | 6b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Portage | 6a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Rochester Hills | 6a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Roseville | 6b | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Royal Oak | 6b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Saginaw | 6a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Southfield | 6b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Southgate | 6b | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| St. Clair Shores | 6b | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Sterling Heights | 6b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Taylor | 6b | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Troy | 6b | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Warren | 6b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Westland | 6b | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Wyoming | 6a | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Michigan, or the general guide to when to plant potatoes.
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