Garden Corners, MI Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Garden Corners garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 16
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 24
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
131 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 1 May 16 Jun 3
First fall frost Oct 12 Sep 24 Sep 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 3 · first Oct 7

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the GARDEN CORNERS station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Garden Corners

Computed from Garden Corners's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 21 – Apr 4 May 23 – May 30
🫑 Peppers Mar 7 – Mar 21 May 30 – Jun 6
🥬 Lettuce Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 18 – May 2 Apr 18 – May 16
🫛 Peas Apr 4 – Apr 18
🥕 Carrots Apr 25 – May 16
🥦 Broccoli Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 25 – May 9
🥬 Kale Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 18 – May 2 Apr 18 – May 2
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 18 – Apr 25 May 23 – May 30 May 23 – May 30
🥒 Zucchini Apr 18 – Apr 25 May 23 – May 30 May 23 – May 30
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 23 – May 30
🌽 Sweet Corn May 23 – May 30
🌿 Basil Apr 4 – Apr 18 May 23 – May 30 May 30 – Jun 6
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 13 – Sep 10

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Garden Corners's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Garden Corners

At about 131 frost-free days, Garden Corners rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Garden Corners, MI?

The average last spring frost in Garden Corners is around May 16, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Garden Corners, MI?

The average first fall frost in Garden Corners arrives around Sep 24. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Garden Corners?

About 131 frost-free days on average, from May 16 to Sep 24. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Garden Corners in?

USDA zone 5a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.