Last frost date in Saginaw, MI

Average last frost
April 29

In Saginaw, the last spring frost comes around April 29 in an average year. Wait until May 13 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 21, which leaves 175 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 5 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 13
Average first frost
Oct 21
Frost-free season
175 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 17
Next 7 nights in Saginaw

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 21.

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

  1. ThuOct 2242°
  2. FriOct 2341°
  3. SatOct 2446°
  4. SunOct 2548°
  5. MonOct 2643°
  6. TueOct 2740°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 29First frost Oct 21175 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND175 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Saginaw #3, 0.4 miles from Saginaw.

Planting calendar for Saginaw

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 7–Nov 11
GarlicSep 30–Nov 4
Daffodil bulbsSep 23–Nov 4
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 13Oct 5Oct 21Nov 2
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 2Apr 17May 1Oct 20Nov 3Nov 16

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 Saginaw #3 (USC00207222) sits 0.4 miles from the center of Saginaw at 600 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 Saginaw, MI?

The average last frost date in Saginaw is April 29, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 13.

When is the first frost in Saginaw?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 21. One year in ten it arrives before October 5.

How long is the growing season in Saginaw?

About 175 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Saginaw?

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

Nearby in Michigan

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