Last frost date in Kentwood, MI

Average last frost
April 30

The average last frost in Kentwood is April 30. By May 17 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 14, which leaves 167 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 17
Average first frost
Oct 14
Frost-free season
167 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 18
Next 7 nights in Kentwood

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 14.

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

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2344°
  3. SatOct 2448°
  4. SunOct 2548°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2741°
  7. WedOct 2843°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 30First frost Oct 14167 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND167 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Weather Office Grand Rapids, 2.5 miles from Kentwood.

Planting calendar for Kentwood

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 7–May 21
PumpkinsMay 14–May 28
SunflowersApr 30–May 21
CucumbersMay 14–May 21
CornMay 7–May 21
Sweet potatoesMay 21–Jun 4
WatermelonMay 14–May 28
Green beansMay 7–May 28
ZucchiniMay 7–May 21
OkraMay 21–Jun 4
PeppersMay 14–May 28
BasilMay 7–May 21
Butternut squashMay 7–May 21
CantaloupeMay 14–May 28
EggplantMay 14–May 28
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 2–Apr 16
OnionsMar 19–Apr 9
CarrotsApr 9–May 14
LettuceApr 16–May 7
BroccoliApr 2–Apr 16
BeetsApr 2–May 14
PeasMar 19–Apr 2
CabbageApr 2–Apr 16
RadishesMar 26–May 7
Brussels sproutsApr 16–Apr 30
SpinachMar 19–Apr 9
CilantroApr 16–May 7
KaleApr 2–Apr 16
Collard greensApr 2–Apr 16
TurnipsApr 2–Apr 16
DillApr 30–May 14
CeleryMay 7–May 14
CauliflowerApr 16–Apr 30
LeeksApr 16–Apr 30
Swiss chardApr 16–May 14
ParsleyApr 16–May 7
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 30–Nov 4
GarlicSep 23–Oct 28
Daffodil bulbsSep 16–Oct 28
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 2–Apr 16
AsparagusApr 2–Apr 16

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 16Apr 30May 17Oct 1Oct 14Oct 28
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 4Apr 18May 5Oct 11Oct 26Nov 11

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 Weather Office Grand Rapids (USC00206013) sits 2.5 miles from the center of Kentwood at 775 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 Kentwood, MI?

The average last frost date in Kentwood is April 30, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 17.

When is the first frost in Kentwood?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 14. One year in ten it arrives before October 1.

How long is the growing season in Kentwood?

About 167 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Kentwood?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 7 to May 21. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Michigan

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