Frost Dates for Pontiac, MI 48340
Last spring frost May 3 · First fall frost October 7 · 157 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 48340 has about 25,700 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Pontiac.
Moderate season: 157 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 19–May 17 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 20–October 25 (35 days).
Frost probability for 48340
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 17 | May 3 | April 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 20 | October 7 | October 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MILFORD GM PROVING GROUND (33.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Pontiac, MI
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48340 | May 3 | October 7 | 6a |
| 48341 | May 2 | October 13 | 6a |
| 48342 | May 2 | October 13 | 6a |
Which crops fit a 157-day season in Pontiac
In Pontiac (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 | Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | 115 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 115 available after May 17. | Jun 7 |
| Pepper | Mar 22 | May 17–May 24 | 115 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 115 available after May 17. | Jun 12 |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 12. | Aug 5 |
| Cucumber | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 17. | Jul 11 |
| Beans | — | May 10–May 24 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Peas | — | Mar 8–May 17 | 220 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 8. | Jul 27 |
| Zucchini | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Onion | Feb 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 192 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 8–Apr 26 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Kale | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 5. | Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 5. | Aug 5 |
| Radish | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 14. | Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 7 | 262 | overwinter: Plant Oct 7 to Oct 28; harvest the following summer. | Oct 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 29–May 24 | 213 | 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 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 10. | Jun 19 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 19 | May 17–May 17 | 122 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 122 available after May 17. | May 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 10 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 26. | Jul 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 206 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 5. | Jul 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 122 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 122 available after May 17. | May 25 |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 115 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 115 available after May 17. | Jun 17 |
| Okra | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Basil | Mar 29 | May 24–May 24 | 122 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 122 available after May 24. | Jul 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 5–Apr 26 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Parsley | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after May 10. | Jul 22 |
| Celery | Feb 22 | May 10–May 24 | 157 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 157 available after May 10. | Jun 2 |
| Scallions | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Collards | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 115 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 115 available after May 17. | Jun 2 |
| Chives | Feb 8 | May 10–May 17 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Oregano | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 171 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 171 available after May 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 8 | May 10–May 17 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after May 10. | — |
| Sage | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after May 10. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 171 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 171 available after May 10. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Cosmos | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
| Lavender | Feb 8 | May 3–May 17 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 22 | May 3–May 10 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Melons | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 115 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 115 available after May 17. | Jun 2 |
| Mint | — | May 3–May 17 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 10–May 24 | 136 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 136 available after May 10. | Jul 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after May 17. | Jun 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 3–May 17 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 3. | Jul 1 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 10. | Jun 12 |
| Watermelon | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 122 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 10. | Jun 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Zinnias | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
Month by month in Pontiac
| 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 25), Pumpkin (May 25). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Celery (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 4), Tomato (Jun 7), Watermelon (Jun 7), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 6), Pole Beans (Jul 6), Basil (Jul 11), Cosmos (Jul 11), Cucumber (Jul 11), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 5), Carrots (Aug 5), Beets (Aug 6), Dill (Aug 6), Swiss Chard (Aug 6), Calendula (Aug 11), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 4), Spinach (Sep 4), Radish (Sep 5). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 7). First frost around October 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 28). |
| 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 Pontiac, MI (ZIP 48340)?
The median last spring frost date for Pontiac, MI (ZIP code 48340) 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 19; one in ten it runs past May 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Pontiac, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Pontiac, MI is around October 7. 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 20 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Pontiac, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Pontiac 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 Pontiac (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 Pontiac, MI?
Pontiac, 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 Pontiac, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 29 and plant out May 17 in Pontiac. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Pontiac?
Two: plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14.
When do I plant garlic in Pontiac?
Oct 7 to Oct 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Auburn Hills (ZIP 48326) has 164 frost-free days, 7 more than Pontiac (ZIP 48340). See Auburn Hills ZIP 48326 frost dates
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