When to plant in Midland, MI
USDA Zone 6aMidland, Michigan frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 6a means Midland sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Midland is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
MIDLAND · 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 Midland’s own odds, recorded at MIDLAND.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 28 | May 10 | Apr 26 | Sep 21 | Oct 4 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 16 | Apr 29 | Apr 16 | Oct 1 | Oct 16 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | May 2 | Apr 18 | Apr 4 | Oct 15 | Oct 31 | Nov 15 |
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 Midland, 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.
Midland planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Midland, MI?
Midland's average last spring frost falls near April 29 — 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 Midland, MI?
The first fall frost in Midland typically arrives around October 16 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Midland in?
Midland 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 Midland?
There are roughly 170 frost-free days in Midland (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 29 to the first fall frost near October 16.
When should I plant tomatoes in Midland?
In Midland, start tomato seeds indoors around March 4–March 18, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 6 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Midland
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Midland’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at MIDLAND, 3 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 Midland, MI — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00205434. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/michigan/midland.