Last frost date in Detroit, MI

Average last frost

April 27

In Detroit, the last spring frost comes around April 27 in an average year. Wait until May 11 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 25, which leaves 181 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 10 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk): May 11
Average first frost: Oct 25
Frost-free season: 181 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends: Apr 15

Next 7 nights in Detroit

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

ThuOct 2246°
FriOct 2344°
SatOct 2445°
SunOct 2548°
MonOct 2646°
TueOct 2743°
WedOct 2844°

Frost risk through the year at Dearborn #2, 4.4 miles from Detroit.

Planting calendar for Detroit

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Michigan.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

Warm-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

TomatoesMay 4–May 18

PumpkinsMay 11–May 25

SunflowersApr 27–May 18

CucumbersMay 11–May 18

CornMay 4–May 18

Sweet potatoesMay 18–Jun 1

WatermelonMay 11–May 25

Green beansMay 4–May 25

ZucchiniMay 4–May 18

OkraMay 18–Jun 1

PeppersMay 11–May 25

BasilMay 4–May 18

Butternut squashMay 4–May 18

CantaloupeMay 11–May 25

EggplantMay 11–May 25

Cool-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PotatoesMar 30–Apr 13

OnionsMar 16–Apr 6

CarrotsApr 6–May 11

LettuceApr 13–May 4

BroccoliMar 30–Apr 13

BeetsMar 30–May 11

PeasMar 16–Mar 30

CabbageMar 30–Apr 13

RadishesMar 23–May 4

Brussels sproutsApr 13–Apr 27

SpinachMar 16–Apr 6

CilantroApr 13–May 4

KaleMar 30–Apr 13

Collard greensMar 30–Apr 13

TurnipsMar 30–Apr 13

DillApr 27–May 11

CeleryMay 4–May 11

CauliflowerApr 13–Apr 27

LeeksApr 13–Apr 27

Swiss chardApr 13–May 11

ParsleyApr 13–May 4

Fall bulbs and garlic

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Tulip bulbsOct 11–Nov 15

GarlicOct 4–Nov 8

Daffodil bulbsSep 27–Nov 8

Perennials

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

StrawberriesMar 30–Apr 13

AsparagusMar 30–Apr 13

Frost probabilities

Threshold	Spring, 90% chance later	Spring, 50%	Spring, 10%	Fall, 10% chance earlier	Fall, 50%	Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°F	Apr 12	Apr 27	May 11	Oct 10	Oct 25	Nov 7
Hard freeze, 28°F	Apr 1	Apr 15	Apr 30	Oct 24	Nov 6	Nov 21

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Dearborn #2 (USC00202016) sits 4.4 miles from the center of Detroit at 605 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Detroit, MI?

The average last frost date in Detroit is April 27, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 11.

When is the first frost in Detroit?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 25. One year in ten it arrives before October 10.

How long is the growing season in Detroit?

About 181 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Detroit?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 4 to May 18. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Michigan

All 59 cities in Michigan