Frost dates for 48185Westland, MI
The average last spring frost in Westland is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 18 · May 2 · May 18 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 8 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 8 · Apr 24 | Oct 27 · Nov 7 · Nov 22 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Westland
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48185 is matched to the NOAA station Detroit Metro Ap, MI, 12.4 km away, at 631 ft elevation (38 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Metro Ap, MI (used) | 631 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 27 |
| Dearborn, MI | 605 ft | May 1 | Oct 15 |
| Farmington, MI | 720 ft | May 1 | Oct 17 |
| Detroit Willow Run Ap, MI | 777 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Westland
- Livonia, MI 48150 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Garden City, MI 48135 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Westland, MI 48186 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
- Wayne, MI 48184 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
- Canton, MI 48187 · last Apr 24, first Oct 24
- Inkster, MI 48141 · last Apr 20, first Oct 27
- Dearborn Heights, MI 48127 · last May 1, first Oct 15
- Plymouth, MI 48170 · last May 1, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Westland, MI?
- For ZIP code 48185, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Detroit Metro Ap, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Westland, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48185?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.