Frost Dates for Caledonia, MI 49316
Last spring frost May 10 · First fall frost October 5 · 148 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 49316 has about 26,400 people.
Moderate season: 148 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 22–May 27 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans September 22–October 17 (25 days).
Frost probability for 49316
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 27 | May 10 | April 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 22 | October 5 | October 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ALLEGAN 5NE (30.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 148-day season in Caledonia
In Caledonia (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 5 | May 24–May 31 | 106 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 106 available after May 24. | Jun 5 |
| Pepper | Mar 29 | May 24–May 31 | 106 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 106 available after May 24. | Jun 10 |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 19. | Aug 3 |
| Cucumber | Apr 19 | May 24–May 31 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 24. | Jul 9 |
| Beans | — | May 17–May 31 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Peas | — | Mar 15–May 24 | 211 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 15. | Jul 25 |
| Zucchini | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 120 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 120 available after May 24. | Jul 14 |
| Onion | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 15–May 3 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Kale | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 12. | Aug 3 |
| Radish | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12. | Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 26–May 3 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 5 | 253 | overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer. | Oct 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 5–May 31 | 204 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 5; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 17. | Jun 17 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 26 | May 24–May 24 | 113 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 | May 3–May 17 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after May 3. | Jul 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 15 | Apr 26–Apr 26 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 12. | Jul 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 113 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | 106 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 106 available after May 24. | Jun 15 |
| Okra | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Basil | Apr 5 | May 31–May 31 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 31. | Jul 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 12–May 3 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 148 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 148 available after May 17. | Jul 20 |
| Celery | Mar 1 | May 17–May 31 | 148 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 148 available after May 17. | May 31 |
| Scallions | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Collards | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 106 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 106 available after May 24. | May 31 |
| Chives | Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | 162 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 162 available after May 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 15–Jun 7 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Oregano | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after May 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 15 | May 17–May 24 | 148 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 148 available after May 17. | — |
| Sage | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after May 17. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 1 | May 17–May 24 | 162 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 162 available after May 17. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Cosmos | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
| Lavender | Feb 15 | May 10–May 24 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 29 | May 10–May 17 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 19 |
| Melons | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 106 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 106 available after May 24. | May 31 |
| Mint | — | May 10–May 24 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 17–May 31 | 127 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 127 available after May 17. | Jul 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 113 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 113 available after May 24. | Jun 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 10–May 24 | 134 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 134 available after May 10. | Jun 29 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 17. | Jun 10 |
| Watermelon | Apr 26 | May 17–May 24 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 17. | Jun 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 26 | May 24–May 31 | 120 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 120 available after May 24. | Jul 14 |
| Zinnias | Apr 12 | May 10–May 24 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
Month by month in Caledonia
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 15), Lavender (Feb 15), Onion (Feb 15), Rosemary (Feb 15). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Oregano (Mar 1), Parsley (Mar 1), Scallions (Mar 1), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 15), Beets (Mar 15), Dill (Mar 15), Peas (Mar 15), Radish (Mar 15), Spinach (Mar 15), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 5), Tomato (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Corn (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 12), Nasturtiums (Apr 12), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 12), Turnip (Apr 12), Carrots (Apr 19), Potatoes (Apr 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 12), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 12), Cabbage (Apr 12), Collards (Apr 12), Kale (Apr 12), Lettuce (Apr 12), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 5). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 10), Beans (May 17), Pole Beans (May 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 3), Cauliflower (May 3), Cosmos (May 10), Lavender (May 10), Marigolds (May 10), Mint (May 10), +25 more. Last frost around May 10. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 31), Celery (May 31), Melons (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 2), Tomato (Jun 5), Watermelon (Jun 5), Pepper (Jun 10), Tomatillos (Jun 10), Eggplant (Jun 15), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 4), Pole Beans (Jul 4), Basil (Jul 9), Cosmos (Jul 9), Cucumber (Jul 9), Zinnias (Jul 9), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 3), Carrots (Aug 3), Beets (Aug 4), Dill (Aug 4), Swiss Chard (Aug 4), Calendula (Aug 9), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 2), Spinach (Sep 2), Radish (Sep 3). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 5). First frost around October 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 26). |
| 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 Caledonia, MI (ZIP 49316)?
The median last spring frost date for Caledonia, MI (ZIP code 49316) is around May 10. 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 22; one in ten it runs past May 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Caledonia, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Caledonia, MI is around October 5. 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 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Caledonia, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Caledonia 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 Caledonia (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 Caledonia, MI?
Caledonia, 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 Caledonia, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 5 and plant out May 24 in Caledonia. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Caledonia?
Two: plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.
When do I plant garlic in Caledonia?
Oct 5 to Oct 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Middleville (ZIP 49333) has 156 frost-free days, 8 more than Caledonia (ZIP 49316). See Middleville ZIP 49333 frost dates
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