Last frost date in Garden City, MI

Average last frost
May 1

Expect the last frost in Garden City around May 1. Frost after May 18 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 15, which leaves 166 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 18
Average first frost
Oct 15
Frost-free season
166 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 20
Next 7 nights in Garden City

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 15.

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

  1. ThuOct 2246°
  2. FriOct 2343°
  3. SatOct 2444°
  4. SunOct 2547°
  5. MonOct 2646°
  6. TueOct 2743°
  7. WedOct 2844°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 1First frost Oct 15166 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND166 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Dearborn, 5.3 miles from Garden City.

Planting calendar for Garden City

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 8–May 22
PumpkinsMay 15–May 29
SunflowersMay 1–May 22
CucumbersMay 15–May 22
CornMay 8–May 22
Sweet potatoesMay 22–Jun 5
WatermelonMay 15–May 29
Green beansMay 8–May 29
ZucchiniMay 8–May 22
OkraMay 22–Jun 5
PeppersMay 15–May 29
BasilMay 8–May 22
Butternut squashMay 8–May 22
CantaloupeMay 15–May 29
EggplantMay 15–May 29
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 3–Apr 17
OnionsMar 20–Apr 10
CarrotsApr 10–May 15
LettuceApr 17–May 8
BroccoliApr 3–Apr 17
BeetsApr 3–May 15
PeasMar 20–Apr 3
CabbageApr 3–Apr 17
RadishesMar 27–May 8
Brussels sproutsApr 17–May 1
SpinachMar 20–Apr 10
CilantroApr 17–May 8
KaleApr 3–Apr 17
Collard greensApr 3–Apr 17
TurnipsApr 3–Apr 17
DillMay 1–May 15
CeleryMay 8–May 15
CauliflowerApr 17–May 1
LeeksApr 17–May 1
Swiss chardApr 17–May 15
ParsleyApr 17–May 8
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 1–Nov 5
GarlicSep 24–Oct 29
Daffodil bulbsSep 17–Oct 29
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 3–Apr 17
AsparagusApr 3–Apr 17

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 17May 1May 18Oct 1Oct 15Oct 28
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 5Apr 20May 7Oct 13Oct 28Nov 12

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 (USC00202015) sits 5.3 miles from the center of Garden City 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 Garden City, MI?

The average last frost date in Garden City is May 1, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 18.

When is the first frost in Garden City?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 15. One year in ten it arrives before October 1.

How long is the growing season in Garden City?

About 166 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Garden City?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 8 to May 22. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Michigan

All 59 cities in Michigan