Frost dates for 48318Utica, MI
The average last spring frost in Utica is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 28 · May 11 · May 28 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 24 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Oct 7 · Oct 24 · Nov 3 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 15 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Utica
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48318 is matched to the NOAA station Mt Clemens Ang Base, MI, 17.7 km away, at 580 ft elevation (76 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Clemens Ang Base, MI (used) | 580 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 24 |
| Pontiac Wwtp, MI | 890 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 22 |
| Detroit City Ap, MI | 626 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 31 |
| Grosse Pointe Farms, MI | 613 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Utica
- Sterling Heights, MI 48314 · last Apr 30, first Oct 24
- Utica, MI 48317 · last Apr 30, first Oct 24
- Clinton Township, MI 48038 · last Apr 30, first Oct 24
- Troy, MI 48085 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- Rochester, MI 48307 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
- Macomb, MI 48042 · last Apr 30, first Oct 24
- Washington, MI 48094 · last Apr 30, first Oct 24
- Southfield, MI 48037 · last Apr 26, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Utica, MI?
- For ZIP code 48318, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mt Clemens Ang Base, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Utica, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. 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 48318?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.