Last frost date in Forest Hills, MI

Average last frost
April 29

Expect the last frost in Forest Hills around April 29. Frost after May 15 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 20, which leaves 174 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 4 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 15
Average first frost
Oct 20
Frost-free season
174 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 16
Next 7 nights in Forest Hills

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 20.

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

  1. ThuOct 2243°
  2. FriOct 2343°
  3. SatOct 2447°
  4. SunOct 2547°
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2740°
  7. WedOct 2843°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 29First frost Oct 20174 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND174 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Grand Rapids, 5.4 miles from Forest Hills.

Planting calendar for Forest Hills

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 6–May 20
PumpkinsMay 13–May 27
SunflowersApr 29–May 20
CucumbersMay 13–May 20
CornMay 6–May 20
Sweet potatoesMay 20–Jun 3
WatermelonMay 13–May 27
Green beansMay 6–May 27
ZucchiniMay 6–May 20
OkraMay 20–Jun 3
PeppersMay 13–May 27
BasilMay 6–May 20
Butternut squashMay 6–May 20
CantaloupeMay 13–May 27
EggplantMay 13–May 27
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 1–Apr 15
OnionsMar 18–Apr 8
CarrotsApr 8–May 13
LettuceApr 15–May 6
BroccoliApr 1–Apr 15
BeetsApr 1–May 13
PeasMar 18–Apr 1
CabbageApr 1–Apr 15
RadishesMar 25–May 6
Brussels sproutsApr 15–Apr 29
SpinachMar 18–Apr 8
CilantroApr 15–May 6
KaleApr 1–Apr 15
Collard greensApr 1–Apr 15
TurnipsApr 1–Apr 15
DillApr 29–May 13
CeleryMay 6–May 13
CauliflowerApr 15–Apr 29
LeeksApr 15–Apr 29
Swiss chardApr 15–May 13
ParsleyApr 15–May 6
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 6–Nov 10
GarlicSep 29–Nov 3
Daffodil bulbsSep 22–Nov 3
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 1–Apr 15
AsparagusApr 1–Apr 15

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 14Apr 29May 15Oct 4Oct 20Nov 2
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 2Apr 16May 2Oct 19Nov 2Nov 17

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 Grand Rapids (USW00094860) sits 5.4 miles from the center of Forest Hills at 778 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 Forest Hills, MI?

The average last frost date in Forest Hills is April 29, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 15.

When is the first frost in Forest Hills?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 20. One year in ten it arrives before October 4.

How long is the growing season in Forest Hills?

About 174 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Forest Hills?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 6 to May 20. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

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