When is the last frost in Detroit, MI?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Detroit is April 20, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until May 8.

When is the first frost in Detroit?

The average first fall frost in Detroit is October 27, with a growing season of about 188 days.

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Detroit, Michigan frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 20. Average first fall frost: October 27. That gives a growing season of about 188 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is May 8, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 20

1-in-10 risk after May 8

First frost (50%)

Oct 27

1-in-10 risk before Oct 14

Growing season

188 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Apr 8

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	April 6	November 9
70%	April 15	November 1
50%	April 20	October 27
30%	April 28	October 22
10%	May 8	October 14

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after May 8. These are NOAA probabilities for the Detroit Metro Airport weather station (USW00094847, elevation 192 m), 1991–2020.

Detroit vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 20). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (May 8) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 30	Apr 27 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 9	Mar 23
Brussels sprouts	Feb 9	Mar 23
Cabbage	Feb 2	Mar 16
Cauliflower	Feb 23	Apr 6
Sweet corn	Mar 23	Apr 20 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Apr 6	Apr 27
Kale	Feb 2	Mar 16
Leeks	Jan 5	Mar 16
Lettuce	Mar 2	Apr 6
Melons	Apr 13	May 4
Onions	Dec 29	Mar 9 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 23	Mar 23 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 9	May 4
Squash	Apr 13	May 4
Tomatoes	Feb 23	Apr 20

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 27. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 14. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 7.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Toledo, OH	Apr 22	Oct 24	~81 km
Lansing, MI	May 1	Oct 13	~119 km
Cleveland, OH	Apr 20	Nov 3	~151 km
Grand Rapids, MI	Apr 29	Oct 20	~196 km
Akron, OH	Apr 24	Oct 28	~203 km
Fort Wayne, IN	Apr 24	Oct 21	~208 km

More: all Michigan frost dates