Last frost date in Inkster, MI

Average last frost
April 20

Expect the last frost in Inkster around April 20. Frost after May 8 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 27, which leaves 188 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 14 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 8
Average first frost
Oct 27
Frost-free season
188 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 8
Next 7 nights in Inkster

No frost in the next 7 nights

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 Apr 20First frost Oct 27188 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND188 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Detroit Metro Airport, 4.4 miles from Inkster.

Planting calendar for Inkster

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
TomatoesApr 27–May 11
PumpkinsMay 4–May 18
SunflowersApr 20–May 11
CucumbersMay 4–May 11
CornApr 27–May 11
Sweet potatoesMay 11–May 25
WatermelonMay 4–May 18
Green beansApr 27–May 18
ZucchiniApr 27–May 11
OkraMay 11–May 25
PeppersMay 4–May 18
BasilApr 27–May 11
Butternut squashApr 27–May 11
CantaloupeMay 4–May 18
EggplantMay 4–May 18
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 23–Apr 6
OnionsMar 9–Mar 30
CarrotsMar 30–May 4
LettuceApr 6–Apr 27
BroccoliMar 23–Apr 6
BeetsMar 23–May 4
PeasMar 9–Mar 23
CabbageMar 23–Apr 6
RadishesMar 16–Apr 27
Brussels sproutsApr 6–Apr 20
SpinachMar 9–Mar 30
CilantroApr 6–Apr 27
KaleMar 23–Apr 6
Collard greensMar 23–Apr 6
TurnipsMar 23–Apr 6
DillApr 20–May 4
CeleryApr 27–May 4
CauliflowerApr 6–Apr 20
LeeksApr 6–Apr 20
Swiss chardApr 6–May 4
ParsleyApr 6–Apr 27
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 13–Nov 17
GarlicOct 6–Nov 10
Daffodil bulbsSep 29–Nov 10
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 23–Apr 6
AsparagusMar 23–Apr 6

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 6Apr 20May 8Oct 14Oct 27Nov 9
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 27Apr 8Apr 24Oct 27Nov 7Nov 22

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 Detroit Metro Airport (USW00094847) sits 4.4 miles from the center of Inkster at 631 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 Inkster, MI?

The average last frost date in Inkster is April 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 8.

When is the first frost in Inkster?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 27. One year in ten it arrives before October 14.

How long is the growing season in Inkster?

About 188 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Inkster?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 27 to May 11. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Michigan

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