Last frost date in Novi, MI

Average last frost
May 1

In Novi, the last spring frost comes around May 1 in an average year. Wait until May 16 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 17, which leaves 165 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 16
Average first frost
Oct 17
Frost-free season
165 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 22
Next 7 nights in Novi

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 17.

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

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2342°
  3. SatOct 2443°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2741°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 1First frost Oct 17165 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND165 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Farmington, 6.4 miles from Novi.

Planting calendar for Novi

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 3–Nov 7
GarlicSep 26–Oct 31
Daffodil bulbsSep 19–Oct 31
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 19May 1May 16Oct 1Oct 17Oct 29
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 8Apr 22May 5Oct 15Oct 27Nov 8

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 Farmington (USC00202691) sits 6.4 miles from the center of Novi at 720 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 Novi, MI?

The average last frost date in Novi is May 1, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 16.

When is the first frost in Novi?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 17. One year in ten it arrives before October 1.

How long is the growing season in Novi?

About 165 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Novi?

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

Nearby in Michigan

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