Frost Dates for Okemos, MI 48864
Last spring frost May 6 · First fall frost October 5 · 152 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 48864 has about 23,900 people.
Moderate season: 152 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 23–May 20 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 19 (28 days).
Frost probability for 48864
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 20 | May 6 | April 23 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 5 | October 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SAINT JOHNS (36.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 152-day season in Okemos
In Okemos (152 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 | 110 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 110 available after May 20. | Jun 5 |
| Pepper | Mar 25 | May 20–May 27 | 110 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 110 available after May 20. | Jun 10 |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 15. | Aug 3 |
| Cucumber | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 20. | Jul 9 |
| Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Peas | — | Mar 11–May 20 | 215 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 11. | Jul 25 |
| Zucchini | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Onion | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11–Apr 29 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Kale | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 8. | Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 8. | Aug 3 |
| Radish | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12. | Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 5 | 257 | overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer. | Oct 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 1–May 27 | 208 | 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 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13. | Jun 17 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 22 | May 20–May 20 | 117 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 117 available after May 20. | May 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 13 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 29. | Jul 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 8. | Jul 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 117 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 117 available after May 20. | May 23 |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 110 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 110 available after May 20. | Jun 15 |
| Okra | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Basil | Apr 1 | May 27–May 27 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after May 27. | Jul 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 8–Apr 29 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after May 13. | Jul 20 |
| Celery | Feb 25 | May 13–May 27 | 152 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 152 available after May 13. | May 31 |
| Scallions | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Collards | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 110 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 110 available after May 20. | May 31 |
| Chives | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after May 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Oregano | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after May 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after May 13. | — |
| Sage | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after May 13. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after May 13. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Cosmos | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
| Lavender | Feb 11 | May 6–May 20 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 25 | May 6–May 13 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 19 |
| Melons | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 110 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 110 available after May 20. | May 31 |
| Mint | — | May 6–May 20 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 131 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 131 available after May 13. | Jul 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 117 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 117 available after May 20. | Jun 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 6–May 20 | 138 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 138 available after May 6. | Jun 29 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13. | Jun 10 |
| Watermelon | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 117 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13. | Jun 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Zinnias | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
Month by month in Okemos
| 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 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 Okemos, MI (ZIP 48864)?
The median last spring frost date for Okemos, MI (ZIP code 48864) 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 23; one in ten it runs past May 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Okemos, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Okemos, 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 Okemos, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Okemos is about 152 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 Okemos (152 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 Okemos, MI?
Okemos, 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 Okemos, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 1 and plant out May 20 in Okemos. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Okemos?
Two: plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.
When do I plant garlic in Okemos?
Oct 5 to Oct 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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