Frost Dates for Belding, MI 48809
Last spring frost May 9 · First fall frost October 4 · 148 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 48809 has about 11,000 people.
Moderate season: 148 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 20–May 27 (37 days). Fall frost risk spans September 18–October 19 (31 days).
Frost probability for 48809
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 27 | May 9 | April 20 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 18 | October 4 | October 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at IONIA 2SSW (19.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 148-day season in Belding
In Belding (148 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 4 | May 23–May 30 | 106 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 106 available after May 23. | Jun 4 |
| Pepper | Mar 28 | May 23–May 30 | 106 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 106 available after May 23. | Jun 9 |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 13 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 18. | Aug 2 |
| Cucumber | Apr 18 | May 23–May 30 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 23. | Jul 8 |
| Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Peas | — | Mar 14–May 23 | 211 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 14. | Jul 24 |
| Zucchini | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 120 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 120 available after May 23. | Jul 13 |
| Onion | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 14–May 2 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 1 |
| Kale | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 11. | Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 11. | Aug 2 |
| Radish | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 11. | Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 25–May 2 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 4 | 253 | overwinter: Plant Oct 4 to Oct 25; harvest the following summer. | Oct 25 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 4–May 30 | 204 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 16. | Jun 16 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 25 | May 23–May 23 | 113 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 113 available after May 23. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 28 | May 2–May 16 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after May 2. | Jul 14 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 14 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 11. | Jul 3 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 113 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 113 available after May 23. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 | May 23–May 30 | 106 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 106 available after May 23. | Jun 14 |
| Okra | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Basil | Apr 4 | May 30–May 30 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 30. | Jul 8 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 11–May 2 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Parsley | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 148 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 148 available after May 16. | Jul 19 |
| Celery | Feb 28 | May 16–May 30 | 148 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 148 available after May 16. | May 30 |
| Scallions | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 13 |
| Collards | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 106 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 106 available after May 23. | May 30 |
| Chives | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 162 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 162 available after May 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Oregano | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after May 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 148 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 148 available after May 16. | — |
| Sage | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after May 16. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 162 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 162 available after May 16. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Cosmos | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 8 |
| Lavender | Feb 14 | May 9–May 23 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 28 | May 9–May 16 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 18 |
| Melons | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 106 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 106 available after May 23. | May 30 |
| Mint | — | May 9–May 23 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 127 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 127 available after May 16. | Jul 3 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 113 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 113 available after May 23. | Jun 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 9–May 23 | 134 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 134 available after May 9. | Jun 28 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 16. | Jun 9 |
| Watermelon | Apr 25 | May 16–May 23 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 16. | Jun 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 120 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 120 available after May 23. | Jul 13 |
| Zinnias | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 8 |
Month by month in Belding
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 14), Lavender (Feb 14), Onion (Feb 14), Rosemary (Feb 14), Celery (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 14), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 14), Cabbage (Mar 14), Lettuce (Mar 14), Sage (Mar 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 14), Beets (Mar 14), Dill (Mar 14), Peas (Mar 14), Radish (Mar 14), Spinach (Mar 14), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 4), Tomato (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Corn (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 11), Nasturtiums (Apr 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 11), Turnip (Apr 11), Carrots (Apr 18), Potatoes (Apr 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 11), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 11), Cabbage (Apr 11), Collards (Apr 11), Kale (Apr 11), Lettuce (Apr 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 4). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 9), Beans (May 16), Pole Beans (May 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 2), Cauliflower (May 2), Cosmos (May 9), Lavender (May 9), Marigolds (May 9), Mint (May 9), +25 more. Last frost around May 9. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 30), Celery (May 30), Melons (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 1), Tomato (Jun 4), Watermelon (Jun 4), Pepper (Jun 9), Tomatillos (Jun 9), Eggplant (Jun 14), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 3), Pole Beans (Jul 3), Basil (Jul 8), Cosmos (Jul 8), Cucumber (Jul 8), Zinnias (Jul 8), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 2), Carrots (Aug 2), Beets (Aug 3), Dill (Aug 3), Swiss Chard (Aug 3), Calendula (Aug 8), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 1), Spinach (Sep 1), Radish (Sep 2). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 4). First frost around October 4. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 25). |
| 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 Belding, MI (ZIP 48809)?
The median last spring frost date for Belding, MI (ZIP code 48809) is around May 9. 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 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Belding, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Belding, MI is around October 4. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Belding, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Belding is about 148 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 Belding (148 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 Belding, MI?
Belding, 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 Belding, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 4 and plant out May 23 in Belding. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Belding?
Two: plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11.
When do I plant garlic in Belding?
Oct 4 to Oct 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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