When to plant in Grand Rapids, MI
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Grand Rapids, Michigan — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6a means Grand Rapids sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
E GRAND RAPIDS · 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 Grand Rapids’s own odds, recorded at E GRAND RAPIDS.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 31 | May 18 | May 3 | Sep 20 | Oct 1 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F | May 23 | May 6 | Apr 24 | Sep 29 | Oct 10 | Oct 25 |
| 28°F | May 13 | Apr 27 | Apr 11 | Oct 8 | Oct 23 | Nov 7 |
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 Grand Rapids, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 12 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.
Grand Rapids planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Grand Rapids, MI?
On average, the last spring frost in Grand Rapids is around May 6 (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 Grand Rapids, MI?
In Grand Rapids, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 10 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Grand Rapids in?
Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids?
There are roughly 157 frost-free days in Grand Rapids (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 6 to the first fall frost near October 10.
When should I plant tomatoes in Grand Rapids?
In Grand Rapids, start tomato seeds indoors around March 11–March 25, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 13 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Grand Rapids
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Grand Rapids’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- East Grand Rapids · 4 km
- Wyoming · 9 km
- Walker · 9 km
- Comstock Park · 9 km
- Northview · 10 km
- Kentwood · 10 km
- Grandville · 10 km
- Forest Hills · 14 km
Frost dates recorded at E GRAND RAPIDS, 4 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 Grand Rapids, MI — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00202375. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/michigan/grand-rapids.