Frost Dates for Jenison, MI 49428

Last spring frost May 8 · First fall frost October 8 · 153 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a

ZIP 49428 has about 28,200 people.

Moderate season: 153 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 22–May 25 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 26–October 21 (25 days).

Frost probability for 49428

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 25May 8April 22
Fall (first frost)September 26October 8October 21

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HOLLAND WTP (32.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 153-day season in Jenison

In Jenison (153 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoApr 3May 22–May 29111fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22.Jun 8
PepperMar 27May 22–May 29111fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22.Jun 13
LettuceMar 13Apr 10–Apr 17188two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 17
Carrots—Apr 17–Apr 24195fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 17.Aug 6
CucumberApr 17May 22–May 29125fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 22.Jul 12
Beans—May 15–May 29139two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1.Jul 19
Peas—Mar 13–May 22216fits: 65 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 13.Jul 28
ZucchiniApr 24May 22–May 29125two-plantings: Plant May 22 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 17
OnionFeb 13Apr 10–Apr 24188fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 10.—
Spinach—Mar 13–May 1230two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29.Sep 5
KaleFeb 27Apr 10–Apr 24202two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29.Aug 21
BroccoliMar 13Apr 10–Apr 24188fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 10.Jul 13
CabbageMar 13Apr 10–Apr 24202fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 10.Aug 6
Radish—Mar 13–Jun 5216two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15.Sep 6
Beets—Mar 13–Jun 5216two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 7
Potatoes—Apr 24–May 1174fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 24.—
Garlic—Oct 8258overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer.Oct 29
Strawberry—Apr 3–May 29209perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 3; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 10May 15–May 22125fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15.Jun 20
PumpkinApr 24May 22–May 22118fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 22.May 26
CauliflowerMar 27May 1–May 15167fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after May 1.Jul 18
Swiss ChardMar 13Apr 24–Apr 24174two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 7
Arugula—Mar 13–Jun 5230two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29.Sep 5
Brussel SproutsMar 13Apr 10–Apr 24202fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 10.Jul 7
Butternut SquashApr 24May 22–May 29118fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 22.May 26
EggplantMar 20May 22–May 29111fits: 70 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22.Jun 18
OkraApr 10May 15–May 22132two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 17
BasilApr 3May 29–May 29118fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 29.Jul 12
Cilantro—Apr 10–May 1188two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 12
ParsleyFeb 27May 15–May 22153fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after May 15.Jul 23
CeleryFeb 27May 15–May 29153fits: 120 days to maturity, 153 available after May 15.Jun 3
ScallionsFeb 27Apr 10–Apr 24202two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29.Aug 16
Turnip—Apr 10–Apr 24202two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29.Aug 26
Kohlrabi—Mar 27–Apr 10216two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29.Aug 21
Bok ChoyApr 10May 1–May 8167two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 17
CollardsFeb 27Apr 10–Apr 24202two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29.Aug 16
CantaloupeApr 24May 22–May 29111fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22.Jun 3
ChivesFeb 13May 15–May 22167fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 15.—
Dill—Mar 13–Jun 5216two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 7
OreganoFeb 27May 15–May 22167fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after May 15.—
RosemaryFeb 13May 15–May 22153fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 15.—
SageMar 13May 15–May 22167fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after May 15.—
ThymeFeb 27May 15–May 22167fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 15.—
CalendulaMar 27Apr 24–May 8174two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15.Aug 12
CosmosApr 10May 8–May 22139two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 12
LavenderFeb 13May 8–May 22174fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 8.—
MarigoldsMar 27May 8–May 15139two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 22
MelonsApr 24May 22–May 29111fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 22.Jun 3
Mint—May 8–May 22174fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 8.—
NasturtiumsApr 10May 8–May 15139two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 17
Pole Beans—May 15–May 29132fits: 65 days to maturity, 132 available after May 15.Jul 7
Spaghetti SquashApr 24May 22–May 29118fits: 90 days to maturity, 118 available after May 22.Jun 5
Sunflowers—May 8–May 22139fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 8.Jul 2
TomatillosMar 13May 15–May 22118fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15.Jun 13
WatermelonApr 24May 15–May 22118fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15.Jun 8
Yellow SquashApr 24May 22–May 29125two-plantings: Plant May 22 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 17
ZinniasApr 10May 8–May 22139two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 12

Month by month in Jenison

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 13), Lavender (Feb 13), Onion (Feb 13), Rosemary (Feb 13), Celery (Feb 27), Collards (Feb 27), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), Sage (Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Mar 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 13), Beets (Mar 13), Dill (Mar 13), Peas (Mar 13), Radish (Mar 13), Spinach (Mar 13), +1 more.
AprilStart indoors: Basil (Apr 3), Tomato (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Corn (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 10), Nasturtiums (Apr 10), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 10), Turnip (Apr 10), Carrots (Apr 17), Potatoes (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 10), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 10), Cabbage (Apr 10), Collards (Apr 10), Kale (Apr 10), Lettuce (Apr 10), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 3).
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 8), Beans (May 15), Pole Beans (May 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 1), Cauliflower (May 1), Cosmos (May 8), Lavender (May 8), Marigolds (May 8), Mint (May 8), +25 more. Last frost around May 8. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 26), Pumpkin (May 26).
JuneLast sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29).
NovemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.
DecemberClean 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 Jenison, MI (ZIP 49428)?

The median last spring frost date for Jenison, MI (ZIP code 49428) is around May 8. 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 25.

What is the first fall frost date in Jenison, MI?

The median first fall frost date for Jenison, MI is around October 8. 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 Jenison, MI?

The frost-free growing season in Jenison 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 Jenison (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 Jenison, MI?

Jenison, 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 Jenison, MI?

Start tomatoes indoors Apr 3 and plant out May 22 in Jenison. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Jenison?

Two: plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.

When do I plant garlic in Jenison?

Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

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