Frost Dates for Grand Haven, MI 49417
Last spring frost May 6 · First fall frost October 10 · 157 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 49417 has about 33,900 people.
Moderate season: 157 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 15–May 25 (40 days). Fall frost risk spans September 26–October 24 (28 days).
Frost probability for 49417
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 25 | May 6 | April 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 26 | October 10 | October 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MUSKEGON CO AP (18.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 157-day season in Grand Haven
In Grand Haven (157 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 1 | May 20–May 27 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after May 20. | Jun 10 |
| Pepper | Mar 25 | May 20–May 27 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 20. | Jun 15 |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 15. | Aug 8 |
| Cucumber | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 20. | Jul 14 |
| Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Peas | — | Mar 11–May 20 | 220 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 11. | Jul 30 |
| Zucchini | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Onion | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 192 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11–Apr 29 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Kale | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 8. | Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 8. | Aug 8 |
| Radish | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Oct 17. | Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 10 | 262 | overwinter: Plant Oct 10 to Oct 31; harvest the following summer. | Oct 31 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 1–May 27 | 213 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 13. | Jun 22 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 22 | May 20–May 20 | 122 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 122 available after May 20. | May 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 13 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 29. | Jul 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 206 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 8. | Jul 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 122 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 122 available after May 20. | May 28 |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 115 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 115 available after May 20. | Jun 20 |
| Okra | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Basil | Apr 1 | May 27–May 27 | 122 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 122 available after May 27. | Jul 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 8–Apr 29 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Parsley | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after May 13. | Jul 25 |
| Celery | Feb 25 | May 13–May 27 | 157 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 157 available after May 13. | Jun 5 |
| Scallions | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Collards | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 115 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 115 available after May 20. | Jun 5 |
| Chives | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Oregano | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 171 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 171 available after May 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after May 13. | — |
| Sage | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after May 13. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 13. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Cosmos | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Lavender | Feb 11 | May 6–May 20 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 25 | May 6–May 13 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Melons | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 115 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 115 available after May 20. | Jun 5 |
| Mint | — | May 6–May 20 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 136 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 136 available after May 13. | Jul 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after May 20. | Jun 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 6–May 20 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 6. | Jul 4 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 13. | Jun 15 |
| Watermelon | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 122 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 13. | Jun 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Zinnias | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
Month by month in Grand Haven
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 11), Lavender (Feb 11), Onion (Feb 11), Rosemary (Feb 11), Celery (Feb 25), Collards (Feb 25), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), Sage (Mar 11), Swiss Chard (Mar 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 11), Beets (Mar 11), Dill (Mar 11), Peas (Mar 11), Radish (Mar 11), Spinach (Mar 11), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 1), Tomato (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Corn (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 8), Nasturtiums (Apr 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 8), Turnip (Apr 8), Carrots (Apr 15), Potatoes (Apr 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 8), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 8), Cabbage (Apr 8), Collards (Apr 8), Kale (Apr 8), Lettuce (Apr 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 1). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 6), Beans (May 13), Pole Beans (May 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 6), Lavender (May 6), Marigolds (May 6), Mint (May 6), Nasturtiums (May 6), Zinnias (May 6), +23 more. Last frost around May 6. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 28), Pumpkin (May 28). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Celery (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 7), Tomato (Jun 10), Watermelon (Jun 10), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 9), Pole Beans (Jul 9), Basil (Jul 14), Cosmos (Jul 14), Cucumber (Jul 14), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 8), Carrots (Aug 8), Beets (Aug 9), Dill (Aug 9), Swiss Chard (Aug 9), Calendula (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 7), Spinach (Sep 7), Radish (Sep 8). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 10). First frost around October 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 31). |
| 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 Grand Haven, MI (ZIP 49417)?
The median last spring frost date for Grand Haven, MI (ZIP code 49417) is around May 6. 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 15; one in ten it runs past May 25.
What is the first fall frost date in Grand Haven, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Grand Haven, MI is around October 10. 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 26 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Grand Haven, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Grand Haven is about 157 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 Grand Haven (157 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Grand Haven, MI?
Grand Haven, 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 Grand Haven, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 1 and plant out May 20 in Grand Haven. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Grand Haven?
Two: plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17.
When do I plant garlic in Grand Haven?
Oct 10 to Oct 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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