When to Plant Tomatoes in Michigan
In Michigan, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 26 – May 10 in Port Huron to May 15 – May 29 in Burton. In Detroit, it's May 4 – May 18. 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.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Michigan by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | 6a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Battle Creek | 6a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Bay City | 6a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Burton | 6a | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Dearborn | 6b | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Dearborn Heights | 6b | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Detroit | 6b | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| East Lansing | 6a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Eastpointe | 6b | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Farmington Hills | 6a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Flint | 6a | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Grand Rapids | 6a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Holland | 6b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Jackson | 6a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Kalamazoo | 6a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Kentwood | 6a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Lansing | 6a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Lincoln Park | 6b | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Livonia | 6b | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Madison Heights | 6b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Midland | 6a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Muskegon | 6b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Novi | 6a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Oak Park | 6b | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Pontiac | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Port Huron | 6b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Portage | 6a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Rochester Hills | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Roseville | 6b | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Royal Oak | 6b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Saginaw | 6a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Southfield | 6b | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Southgate | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| St. Clair Shores | 6b | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Sterling Heights | 6b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Taylor | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Troy | 6b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Warren | 6b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Westland | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Wyoming | 6a | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 |
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 tomatoes.
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