Frost Dates for Detroit, MI 48213
Detroit has 28 ZIP codes. The Detroit, MI frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 1 · First fall frost October 20 · 172 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 48213 has about 20,100 people, one of 28 ZIP codes in Detroit.
Moderate season: 172 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 17–May 15 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans October 3–November 5 (33 days).
Frost probability for 48213
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 15 | May 1 | April 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 3 | October 20 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MT CLEMENS ANG BASE (27.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 172-day season in Detroit
In Detroit (172 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 27 | May 15–May 22 | 130 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 130 available after May 15. | Jun 20 |
| Pepper | Mar 20 | May 15–May 22 | 130 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 130 available after May 15. | Jun 25 |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 10. | Aug 18 |
| Cucumber | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Peas | — | Mar 6–May 15 | 235 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 6. | Aug 9 |
| Zucchini | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Onion | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 207 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 6–Apr 24 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 207 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 3. | Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 3. | Aug 18 |
| Radish | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 20 | 277 | overwinter: Plant Oct 20 to Nov 10; harvest the following summer. | Nov 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 27–May 22 | 228 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 8. | Jul 2 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 17 | May 15–May 15 | 137 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 137 available after May 15. | Jun 7 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 8 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 24. | Jul 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 3. | Jul 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 137 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 137 available after May 15. | Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 130 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 130 available after May 15. | Jun 30 |
| Okra | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Basil | Mar 27 | May 22–May 22 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 22 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 3–Apr 24 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Parsley | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after May 8. | Aug 4 |
| Celery | Feb 20 | May 8–May 22 | 172 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 172 available after May 8. | Jun 15 |
| Scallions | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Collards | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 130 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 130 available after May 15. | Jun 15 |
| Chives | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after May 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Oregano | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after May 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after May 8. | — |
| Sage | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after May 8. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after May 8. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Cosmos | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Lavender | Feb 6 | May 1–May 15 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after May 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 20 | May 1–May 8 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Melons | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 130 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 130 available after May 15. | Jun 15 |
| Mint | — | May 1–May 15 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after May 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 151 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 151 available after May 8. | Jul 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 137 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 137 available after May 15. | Jun 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 1–May 15 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after May 1. | Jul 14 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jun 25 |
| Watermelon | Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 8. | Jun 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Zinnias | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
Month by month in Detroit
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 6), Lavender (Feb 6), Onion (Feb 6), Rosemary (Feb 6), Celery (Feb 20), Collards (Feb 20), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), Sage (Mar 6), Swiss Chard (Mar 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 6), Beets (Mar 6), Dill (Mar 6), Peas (Mar 6), Radish (Mar 6), Spinach (Mar 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 27). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Corn (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Okra (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 3), Turnip (Apr 3), Carrots (Apr 10), Potatoes (Apr 17). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 3), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 3), Cabbage (Apr 3), Collards (Apr 3), Kale (Apr 3), Lettuce (Apr 3), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 1), Beans (May 8), Pole Beans (May 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 1), Lavender (May 1), Marigolds (May 1), Mint (May 1), Nasturtiums (May 1), Zinnias (May 1), +23 more. Last frost around May 1. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 7), Pumpkin (Jun 7), Cantaloupe (Jun 15), Celery (Jun 15), Melons (Jun 15), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 17), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 2), Sunflowers (Jul 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 19), Pole Beans (Jul 19), Basil (Jul 24), Cosmos (Jul 24), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 3), Parsley (Aug 4), Peas (Aug 9), Cabbage (Aug 18), Carrots (Aug 18), Beets (Aug 19), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 2), Kohlrabi (Sep 2), Turnip (Sep 7), Arugula (Sep 17), Spinach (Sep 17), Radish (Sep 18). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 20). First frost around October 20. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 10). |
| 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 Detroit, MI (ZIP 48213)?
The median last spring frost date for Detroit, MI (ZIP code 48213) is around May 1. 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 17; one in ten it runs past May 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Detroit, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Detroit, MI is around October 20. 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 October 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Detroit, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Detroit is about 172 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 Detroit (172 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Detroit, MI?
Detroit, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Detroit, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 27 and plant out May 15 in Detroit. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Detroit?
Two: plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27.
When do I plant garlic in Detroit?
Oct 20 to Nov 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Hamtramck, MI 48212 (3.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Harper Woods, MI 48225 (4.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Warren, MI 48089 (5 mi)
- Frost dates for Eastpointe, MI 48021 (5.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Detroit, MI 48226 (5.3 mi)
- When to plant in Detroit, MI: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in MI
- When to plant Peppers in MI
- When to plant Cucumbers in MI
- When to plant Zucchini in MI
- When to plant Butternut Squash in MI
- When to plant Basil in MI
- When to plant Sweet Corn in MI
- Look up another ZIP