Frost Dates for Saint Clair, MI 48079
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 21 · 178 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 48079 has about 12,700 people.
Moderate season: 178 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 10 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 4–November 5 (32 days).
Frost probability for 48079
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 10 | April 26 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 4 | October 21 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PORT HURON (16.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 178-day season in Saint Clair
In Saint Clair (178 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 22 | May 10–May 17 | 136 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 136 available after May 10. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 136 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 10. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 220 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 5. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 241 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 1. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 213 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 29. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 227 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 29. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 283 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 234 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 150 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after May 3. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 143 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 10. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 19. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 227 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 29. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 143 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 10. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 136 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 136 available after May 10. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after May 3. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 178 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 178 available after May 3. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 136 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 136 available after May 10. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 136 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 136 available after May 10. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 157 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 157 available after May 3. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 143 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 143 available after May 10. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 164 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 26. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 143 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after May 3. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after May 3. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Saint Clair
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Onion (Feb 1), Rosemary (Feb 1), Celery (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), Sage (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 1), Beets (Mar 1), Dill (Mar 1), Peas (Mar 1), Radish (Mar 1), Spinach (Mar 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 29), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 29), Cabbage (Mar 29), Collards (Mar 29), Kale (Mar 29), Lettuce (Mar 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 5), Butternut Squash (Apr 12), Cantaloupe (Apr 12), Melons (Apr 12), Pumpkin (Apr 12), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 5), Potatoes (Apr 12), Sunflowers (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 12), Swiss Chard (Apr 12), Bok Choy (Apr 19), Cauliflower (Apr 19), Cosmos (Apr 26), Lavender (Apr 26), +4 more. Last frost around April 26. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 3), Pole Beans (May 3). Transplant from: Celery (May 3), Chives (May 3), Corn (May 3), Okra (May 3), Oregano (May 3), Parsley (May 3), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| 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 Saint Clair, MI (ZIP 48079)?
The median last spring frost date for Saint Clair, MI (ZIP code 48079) is around April 26. 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 10.
What is the first fall frost date in Saint Clair, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Saint Clair, MI is around October 21. 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 October 4 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Saint Clair, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Saint Clair is about 178 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 Saint Clair (178 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Saint Clair, MI?
Saint Clair, 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 Saint Clair, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 in Saint Clair. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Saint Clair?
Two: plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Saint Clair?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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