Frost Dates for Jackson, MI 49202
Jackson has 3 ZIP codes. The Jackson, MI frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 5 · First fall frost October 5 · 153 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 49202 has about 18,500 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Jackson.
Moderate season: 153 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 21–May 20 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 19 (28 days).
Frost probability for 49202
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 20 | May 5 | April 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 5 | October 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at JACKSON CO AP (3.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 153-day season in Jackson
In Jackson (153 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 31 | May 19–May 26 | 111 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 19. | Jun 5 |
| Pepper | Mar 24 | May 19–May 26 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 19. | Jun 10 |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 14. | Aug 3 |
| Cucumber | Apr 14 | May 19–May 26 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 19. | Jul 9 |
| Beans | — | May 12–May 26 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Peas | — | Mar 10–May 19 | 216 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 10. | Jul 25 |
| Zucchini | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Onion | Feb 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 10–Apr 28 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Kale | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 7. | Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 7. | Aug 3 |
| Radish | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12. | Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 5 | 258 | overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer. | Oct 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 31–May 26 | 209 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 31; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 12. | Jun 17 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 21 | May 19–May 19 | 118 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 19. | May 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 12 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 28. | Jul 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 10 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 7. | Jul 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 118 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 19. | May 23 |
| Eggplant | Mar 17 | May 19–May 26 | 111 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 111 available after May 19. | Jun 15 |
| Okra | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Basil | Mar 31 | May 26–May 26 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 26. | Jul 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 7–Apr 28 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after May 12. | Jul 20 |
| Celery | Feb 24 | May 12–May 26 | 153 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 153 available after May 12. | May 31 |
| Scallions | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 7 | Apr 28–May 5 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Collards | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 111 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 19. | May 31 |
| Chives | Feb 10 | May 12–May 19 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 12. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 10–Jun 2 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Oregano | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after May 12. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 10 | May 12–May 19 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 12. | — |
| Sage | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after May 12. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 24 | May 12–May 19 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 12. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Cosmos | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
| Lavender | Feb 10 | May 5–May 19 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 5. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 24 | May 5–May 12 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 19 |
| Melons | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 111 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 19. | May 31 |
| Mint | — | May 5–May 19 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 5. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 12–May 26 | 132 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 132 available after May 12. | Jul 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 118 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 118 available after May 19. | Jun 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 5–May 19 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 5. | Jun 29 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 12. | Jun 10 |
| Watermelon | Apr 21 | May 12–May 19 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 12. | Jun 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Zinnias | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
Month by month in Jackson
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 10), Lavender (Feb 10), Onion (Feb 10), Rosemary (Feb 10), Celery (Feb 24), Collards (Feb 24), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 10), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 10), Cabbage (Mar 10), Lettuce (Mar 10), Sage (Mar 10), Swiss Chard (Mar 10), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 10), Beets (Mar 10), Dill (Mar 10), Peas (Mar 10), Radish (Mar 10), Spinach (Mar 10), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 31). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 7), Corn (Apr 7), Cosmos (Apr 7), Nasturtiums (Apr 7), Okra (Apr 7), Zinnias (Apr 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 7), Turnip (Apr 7), Carrots (Apr 14), Potatoes (Apr 21). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 7), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 7), Cabbage (Apr 7), Collards (Apr 7), Kale (Apr 7), Lettuce (Apr 7), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 5), Beans (May 12), Pole Beans (May 12). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 5), Lavender (May 5), Marigolds (May 5), Mint (May 5), Nasturtiums (May 5), Zinnias (May 5), +23 more. Last frost around May 5. 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 Jackson, MI (ZIP 49202)?
The median last spring frost date for Jackson, MI (ZIP code 49202) is around May 5. 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 21; one in ten it runs past May 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Jackson, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Jackson, 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Jackson, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Jackson is about 153 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 Jackson (153 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 Jackson, MI?
Jackson, 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 Jackson, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 31 and plant out May 19 in Jackson. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Jackson?
Two: plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.
When do I plant garlic in Jackson?
Oct 5 to Oct 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Chelsea (ZIP 48118) has 170 frost-free days, 17 more than Jackson (ZIP 49202). See Chelsea ZIP 48118 frost dates
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