Frost Dates for Saginaw, MI 48638
Saginaw has 7 ZIP codes. The Saginaw, MI frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 6 · First fall frost October 8 · 155 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 48638 has about 12,900 people, one of 7 ZIP codes in Saginaw.
Moderate season: 155 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 20–May 19 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 27–October 20 (23 days).
Frost probability for 48638
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 19 | May 6 | April 20 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 27 | October 8 | October 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at OWOSSO WWTP (46.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 155-day season in Saginaw
In Saginaw (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 | Apr 1 | May 20–May 27 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Mar 25 | May 20–May 27 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | Jun 13 |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 15. | Aug 6 |
| Cucumber | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 20. | Jul 12 |
| Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Peas | — | Mar 11–May 20 | 218 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 11. | Jul 28 |
| Zucchini | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Onion | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 190 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11–Apr 29 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Kale | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 8. | Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 8. | Aug 6 |
| Radish | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15. | Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 8 | 260 | overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer. | Oct 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 1–May 27 | 211 | 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 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 13. | Jun 20 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 22 | May 20–May 20 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 20. | May 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 13 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 29. | Jul 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 8. | Jul 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 20. | May 26 |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 113 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | Jun 18 |
| Okra | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Basil | Apr 1 | May 27–May 27 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 27. | Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 8–Apr 29 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Parsley | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 155 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after May 13. | Jul 23 |
| Celery | Feb 25 | May 13–May 27 | 155 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 155 available after May 13. | Jun 3 |
| Scallions | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Collards | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 113 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | Jun 3 |
| Chives | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Oregano | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after May 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 155 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after May 13. | — |
| Sage | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after May 13. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 13. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Cosmos | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Lavender | Feb 11 | May 6–May 20 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 25 | May 6–May 13 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Melons | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 113 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | Jun 3 |
| Mint | — | May 6–May 20 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 134 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 134 available after May 13. | Jul 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 120 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 120 available after May 20. | Jun 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 6–May 20 | 141 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 141 available after May 6. | Jul 2 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 13. | Jun 13 |
| Watermelon | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 120 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 13. | Jun 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Zinnias | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
Month by month in Saginaw
| 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 26), Pumpkin (May 26). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29). |
| 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 Saginaw, MI (ZIP 48638)?
The median last spring frost date for Saginaw, MI (ZIP code 48638) 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 20; one in ten it runs past May 19.
What is the first fall frost date in Saginaw, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Saginaw, 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 27 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Saginaw, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Saginaw 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 Saginaw (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 Saginaw, MI?
Saginaw, 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 Saginaw, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 1 and plant out May 20 in Saginaw. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Saginaw?
Two: plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.
When do I plant garlic in Saginaw?
Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
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