Frost dates for 48236Grosse Pointe, MI
The average last spring frost in Grosse Pointe is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 25 · May 8 · May 22 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 13 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Grosse Pointe
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48236 is matched to the NOAA station Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, 2.4 km away, at 613 ft elevation (35 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grosse Pointe Farms, MI (used) | 613 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 22 |
| Detroit City Ap, MI | 626 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 31 |
| Mt Clemens Ang Base, MI | 580 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 24 |
| Dearborn #2, MI | 605 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Grosse Pointe
- Harper Woods, MI 48225 · last Apr 29, first Oct 22
- Detroit, MI 48224 · last Apr 29, first Oct 22
- Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080 · last Apr 29, first Oct 22
- Grosse Pointe, MI 48230 · last Apr 29, first Oct 22
- Eastpointe, MI 48021 · last Apr 29, first Oct 22
- Roseville, MI 48066 · last Apr 29, first Oct 22
- Warren, MI 48089 · last Apr 21, first Oct 31
- Center Line, MI 48015 · last Apr 21, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Grosse Pointe, MI?
- For ZIP code 48236, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grosse Pointe Farms, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Grosse Pointe, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48236?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 176 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.