Frost Dates for Hillsdale, MI 49242
Last spring frost May 3 · First fall frost October 5 · 155 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 49242 has about 14,800 people.
Moderate season: 155 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 20–May 17 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans September 22–October 17 (25 days).
Frost probability for 49242
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 17 | May 3 | April 20 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 22 | October 5 | October 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLDWATER ST SCHOOL (32.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 155-day season in Hillsdale
In Hillsdale (155 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 | Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 17. | Jun 5 |
| Pepper | Mar 22 | May 17–May 24 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 17. | Jun 10 |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 12. | Aug 3 |
| Cucumber | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 17. | Jul 9 |
| Beans | — | May 10–May 24 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Peas | — | Mar 8–May 17 | 218 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 8. | Jul 25 |
| Zucchini | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Onion | Feb 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 190 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 8–Apr 26 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Kale | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 5. | Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 5. | Aug 3 |
| Radish | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12. | Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 5 | 260 | overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer. | Oct 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 29–May 24 | 211 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 29; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 10. | Jun 17 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 19 | May 17–May 17 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 17. | May 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 10 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 26. | Jul 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 5. | Jul 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 17. | May 23 |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 113 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 17. | Jun 15 |
| Okra | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Basil | Mar 29 | May 24–May 24 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 24. | Jul 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 5–Apr 26 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 155 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after May 10. | Jul 20 |
| Celery | Feb 22 | May 10–May 24 | 155 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 155 available after May 10. | May 31 |
| Scallions | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Collards | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 113 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 17. | May 31 |
| Chives | Feb 8 | May 10–May 17 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Oregano | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after May 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 8 | May 10–May 17 | 155 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after May 10. | — |
| Sage | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after May 10. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 10. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Cosmos | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
| Lavender | Feb 8 | May 3–May 17 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 22 | May 3–May 10 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 19 |
| Melons | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 113 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 17. | May 31 |
| Mint | — | May 3–May 17 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 10–May 24 | 134 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 134 available after May 10. | Jul 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 120 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 120 available after May 17. | Jun 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 3–May 17 | 141 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 141 available after May 3. | Jun 29 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 10. | Jun 10 |
| Watermelon | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 120 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 10. | Jun 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Zinnias | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
Month by month in Hillsdale
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 8), Lavender (Feb 8), Onion (Feb 8), Rosemary (Feb 8), Celery (Feb 22), Collards (Feb 22), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 8), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 8), Cabbage (Mar 8), Lettuce (Mar 8), Sage (Mar 8), Swiss Chard (Mar 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 8), Beets (Mar 8), Dill (Mar 8), Peas (Mar 8), Radish (Mar 8), Spinach (Mar 8), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 29). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Cosmos (Apr 5), Nasturtiums (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Zinnias (Apr 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 5), Turnip (Apr 5), Carrots (Apr 12), Potatoes (Apr 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 5), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 5), Cabbage (Apr 5), Collards (Apr 5), Kale (Apr 5), Lettuce (Apr 5), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 3), Beans (May 10), Pole Beans (May 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 3), Lavender (May 3), Marigolds (May 3), Mint (May 3), Nasturtiums (May 3), Zinnias (May 3), +23 more. Last frost around May 3. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 23), Pumpkin (May 23), 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 Hillsdale, MI (ZIP 49242)?
The median last spring frost date for Hillsdale, MI (ZIP code 49242) is around May 3. 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 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Hillsdale, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Hillsdale, 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 Hillsdale, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Hillsdale is about 155 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 Hillsdale (155 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 Hillsdale, MI?
Hillsdale, 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 Hillsdale, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 29 and plant out May 17 in Hillsdale. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Hillsdale?
Two: plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.
When do I plant garlic in Hillsdale?
Oct 5 to Oct 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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