When to plant in Lansing, MI
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Lansing, Michigan — all computed from Lansing's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 6a, Lansing gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
LANSING CAPITAL CITY AP · 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 Lansing’s own odds, recorded at LANSING CAPITAL CITY AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 31 | May 13 | Apr 29 | Sep 17 | Oct 1 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F | May 18 | May 1 | Apr 18 | Sep 29 | Oct 13 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F | May 6 | Apr 21 | Apr 6 | Oct 7 | Oct 27 | Nov 10 |
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 Lansing, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 23 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.
Lansing planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lansing, MI?
Lansing's average last spring frost falls near May 1 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Lansing, MI?
Expect Lansing's first fall frost near October 13 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Lansing in?
Lansing 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 Lansing?
Lansing has about 165 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (October 13).
When should I plant tomatoes in Lansing?
For Lansing, sow tomatoes indoors about March 6–March 20 and move the seedlings out around May 8, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Lansing
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lansing’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at LANSING CAPITAL CITY AP, 7 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 Lansing, MI — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014836. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/michigan/lansing.