When to plant in Bay City, MI
USDA Zone 6aBay City, Michigan frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 6a, Bay City gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
ESSEXVILLE · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Bay City’s own odds, recorded at ESSEXVILLE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 22 | May 6 | Apr 24 | Sep 24 | Oct 7 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F | May 11 | Apr 27 | Apr 15 | Oct 5 | Oct 20 | Nov 2 |
| 28°F | Apr 30 | Apr 17 | Apr 5 | Oct 18 | Nov 1 | Nov 14 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Bay City, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 17 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Bay City planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Bay City, MI?
On average, the last spring frost in Bay City is around April 27 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Bay City, MI?
The first fall frost in Bay City typically arrives around October 20 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Bay City in?
Bay City is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Bay City?
Bay City has about 176 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 27) and first fall frost (October 20).
When should I plant tomatoes in Bay City?
For Bay City, sow tomatoes indoors about March 2–March 16 and move the seedlings out around May 4, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Bay City
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Bay City’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at ESSEXVILLE, 5 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Bay City, MI — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00202631. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/michigan/bay-city.