Frost Dates for Bay City, MI 48708
Bay City has 2 ZIP codes. The Bay City, MI frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 8 · First fall frost October 6 · 151 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 48708 has about 25,600 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Bay City.
Moderate season: 151 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 20–May 26 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 17 (22 days).
Frost probability for 48708
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 26 | May 8 | April 20 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 6 | October 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MIDLAND (29.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 151-day season in Bay City
In Bay City (151 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 3 | May 22–May 29 | 109 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 109 available after May 22. | Jun 6 |
| Pepper | Mar 27 | May 22–May 29 | 109 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 109 available after May 22. | Jun 11 |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 193 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 17. | Aug 4 |
| Cucumber | Apr 17 | May 22–May 29 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 22. | Jul 10 |
| Beans | — | May 15–May 29 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Peas | — | Mar 13–May 22 | 214 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 13. | Jul 26 |
| Zucchini | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 123 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 123 available after May 22. | Jul 15 |
| Onion | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 13–May 1 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Kale | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 10. | Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 10. | Aug 4 |
| Radish | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 13. | Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 24–May 1 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 6 | 256 | overwinter: Plant Oct 6 to Oct 27; harvest the following summer. | Oct 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 3–May 29 | 207 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 3; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 123 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 123 available after May 15. | Jun 18 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 24 | May 22–May 22 | 116 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 116 available after May 22. | May 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 | May 1–May 15 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after May 1. | Jul 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 13 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 200 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 10. | Jul 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 116 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 116 available after May 22. | May 24 |
| Eggplant | Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | 109 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 109 available after May 22. | Jun 16 |
| Okra | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 130 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Basil | Apr 3 | May 29–May 29 | 116 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 116 available after May 29. | Jul 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 10–May 1 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Parsley | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 151 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 151 available after May 15. | Jul 21 |
| Celery | Feb 27 | May 15–May 29 | 151 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 151 available after May 15. | Jun 1 |
| Scallions | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 10 | May 1–May 8 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Collards | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 109 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 109 available after May 22. | Jun 1 |
| Chives | Feb 13 | May 15–May 22 | 165 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after May 15. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 13–Jun 5 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Oregano | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after May 15. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 13 | May 15–May 22 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after May 15. | — |
| Sage | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after May 15. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 27 | May 15–May 22 | 165 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after May 15. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Cosmos | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Lavender | Feb 13 | May 8–May 22 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after May 8. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 27 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Melons | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 109 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 109 available after May 22. | Jun 1 |
| Mint | — | May 8–May 22 | 172 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 172 available after May 8. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 15–May 29 | 130 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 130 available after May 15. | Jul 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 116 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 116 available after May 22. | Jun 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 8–May 22 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jun 30 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 116 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 116 available after May 15. | Jun 11 |
| Watermelon | Apr 24 | May 15–May 22 | 116 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 116 available after May 15. | Jun 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 24 | May 22–May 29 | 123 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 123 available after May 22. | Jul 15 |
| Zinnias | Apr 10 | May 8–May 22 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
Month by month in Bay City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 13), Lavender (Feb 13), Onion (Feb 13), Rosemary (Feb 13), Celery (Feb 27), Collards (Feb 27), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), Sage (Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Mar 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 13), Beets (Mar 13), Dill (Mar 13), Peas (Mar 13), Radish (Mar 13), Spinach (Mar 13), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 3), Tomato (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Corn (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 10), Nasturtiums (Apr 10), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 10), Turnip (Apr 10), Carrots (Apr 17), Potatoes (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 10), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 10), Cabbage (Apr 10), Collards (Apr 10), Kale (Apr 10), Lettuce (Apr 10), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 3). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 8), Beans (May 15), Pole Beans (May 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 1), Cauliflower (May 1), Cosmos (May 8), Lavender (May 8), Marigolds (May 8), Mint (May 8), +25 more. Last frost around May 8. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 24), Pumpkin (May 24). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 1), Celery (Jun 1), Melons (Jun 1), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 3), Tomato (Jun 6), Watermelon (Jun 6), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 5), Pole Beans (Jul 5), Basil (Jul 10), Cosmos (Jul 10), Cucumber (Jul 10), Zinnias (Jul 10), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 4), Carrots (Aug 4), Beets (Aug 5), Dill (Aug 5), Swiss Chard (Aug 5), Calendula (Aug 10), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 3), Spinach (Sep 3), Radish (Sep 4). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 6). First frost around October 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 27). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Bay City, MI (ZIP 48708)?
The median last spring frost date for Bay City, MI (ZIP code 48708) is around May 8. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 20; one in ten it runs past May 26.
What is the first fall frost date in Bay City, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Bay City, MI is around October 6. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bay City, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Bay City is about 151 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Bay City (151 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Bay City, MI?
Bay City, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Bay City, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 3 and plant out May 22 in Bay City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bay City?
Two: plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13.
When do I plant garlic in Bay City?
Oct 6 to Oct 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Saginaw (ZIP 48601) has 158 frost-free days, 7 more than Bay City (ZIP 48708). See Saginaw ZIP 48601 frost dates
Nearby and related
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