Frost dates for 48175Salem, MI
The average last spring frost in Salem is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 160 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 160 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 16 · May 31 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 20 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 160 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 183 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Salem
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 | Apr 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48175 is matched to the NOAA station Ann Arbor U Of Mich, MI, 13.9 km away, at 813 ft elevation (129 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor U Of Mich, MI (used) | 813 ft | May 3 | Oct 13 |
| Whitmore Lake 1Nw, MI | 906 ft | May 5 | Oct 13 |
| Farmington, MI | 720 ft | May 1 | Oct 17 |
| Detroit Willow Run Ap, MI | 777 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Salem
- Northville, MI 48168 · last May 1, first Oct 17
- South Lyon, MI 48178 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Novi, MI 48374 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Plymouth, MI 48170 · last May 1, first Oct 17
- Canton, MI 48187 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- New Hudson, MI 48165 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Wixom, MI 48393 · last May 6, first Oct 12
- Ann Arbor, MI 48105 · last May 3, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Salem, MI?
- For ZIP code 48175, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ann Arbor U Of Mich, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Salem, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48175?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 160 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.