Frost dates for 48168Northville, MI
The average last spring frost in Northville is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 1 · May 16 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 5 | Oct 15 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Northville
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48168 is matched to the NOAA station Farmington, MI, 12.9 km away, at 720 ft elevation (172 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington, MI (used) | 720 ft | May 1 | Oct 17 |
| Ann Arbor U Of Mich, MI | 813 ft | May 3 | Oct 13 |
| Detroit Willow Run Ap, MI | 777 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
| Dearborn, MI | 605 ft | May 1 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Northville
- Northville, MI 48167 · last May 1, first Oct 17
- Plymouth, MI 48170 · last May 1, first Oct 17
- Salem, MI 48175 · last May 3, first Oct 13
- Novi, MI 48375 · last May 1, first Oct 17
- Canton, MI 48187 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- Farmington, MI 48335 · last May 1, first Oct 17
- Livonia, MI 48154 · last May 1, first Oct 17
- Westland, MI 48185 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Northville, MI?
- For ZIP code 48168, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Farmington, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Northville, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48168?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.