As spring’s daytime temperatures get warmer, but the lows continue to drop overnight, many Michigan residents may be hesitant to start planting their gardens.
On May 10, central and northern Michigan saw lows down to 36 degrees, prompting the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids to alert residents to protect tender plants.
On May 8, frost advisories and freeze warnings were issued for the Lower Peninsula. Northern Michigan saw the lowest temperatures overnight on May 8, with Roscommon County seeing 19 degrees, the NWS in Gaylord reported.
For residents impatiently waiting to plant, it is important to know when to start to avoid frost damage.
“When the nightly temperature falls, frost can form, even above 32 (degrees), because the air is colder high above the ground and the frost can form up there and then fall down onto your garden and do some damage, even if it’s 36 (degrees) on the ground,” the National Gardening Association said online. “Because of all this, you might want to consider 36 (degrees) as ‘the danger zone.'”
Among the 83 counties in Michigan, the average last frost (at 32 degrees) ranges from April 23 to June 1.
In 2024, the latest last frost was on May 30 in Iron County – typically, the Upper Peninsula sees later frosts dates than the Lower Peninsula.
In the Lower Peninsula, the average last frost dates ranges from April 23 to May 25.
In 2024, the latest frost was on April 25 in southern most counties, though overall the entire Lower Peninsula saw final frosts in late April.
As Michigan residents try to plan their gardening for 2025, the Midwestern Regional Climate Center compiles spring frost data for all 83 counties.
Here’s more on when to begin planting outside in Michigan:
When will the last frost be in northern Michigan?
The Midwestern Regional Climate Center, a program between the National Centers for Environmental Information and Purdue University, provides climate data with interactive maps for the Midwest.
The freeze data shows average last frost dates during the spring and fall seasons, including the last frost date from previous years – from 2024 to 1950.
To optimize gardening, here are the frost dates in 2024 and the average last frost dates for all counties in Michigan, beginning with northern Michigan:
Emmet County:
Cheboygan County:
Presque Isle County:
Charlevoix County:
Antrim County:
Otsego County:
Montmorency County:
Alpena County:
Leelanau County:
Benzie County:
Grand Traverse County:
Kalkaska County:
Crawford County:
Oscoda County:
Alcona County:
Manistee County:
Wexford County:
Missaukee County:
Roscommon County:
Ogemaw County:
Iosco County:
Mason County:
Lake County:
Osceola County:
Clare County:
Gladwin County:
Arenac County:
When will the last frost be in Detroit, Michigan’s thumb?
Here are the frost dates for counties in the Thumb area:
Huron County:
Tuscola County:
Sanilac County:
Lapeer County:
St. Clair County:
Macomb County:
Wayne County:
Oakland County:
Livingston County:
Washtenaw County:
Monroe County:
When will it be safe to plant outside in Lansing, central Michigan?
Here are the frost dates for counties in central Michigan:
Bay County:
Midland County:
Isabella County:
Mecosta County:
Montcalm County:
Gratiot County:
Saginaw County:
Genesee County:
Shiawassee County:
Ingham County:
Eaton County:
Clinton County:
Livingston County:
When will the last frost be in the Grand Rapids area?
Here are the frost dates for counties in southwestern Michigan:
Newaygo County:
Oceana County:
Muskegon County:
Ottawa County:
Kent County:
Barry County:
Allegan County:
In southern-most counties in Michigan, when is the last frost?
Here are the frost dates for counties in south Michigan:
Van Buren County:
Kalamazoo County:
Calhoun County:
Berrien County:
Cass County:
St. Joseph County:
Branch County:
Hillsdale County:
Lenawee County:
Jackson County:
When can I plant my outdoor garden in the Upper Peninsula?
Here are the frost dates for counties in the Upper Peninsula:
Keweenaw County:
Houghton County:
Ontonagon County:
Gogebic County:
Baraga County:
Iron County:
Marquette County:
Dickinson County:
Alger County:
Delta County:
Menominee County:
Schoolcraft County:
Luce County:
Chippewa County:
Mackinac County:
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: When is it safe to plant outside in Michigan? Statewide last frost dates vary regionally
Reporting by Sarah Moore, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
