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When to plant in Muskegon, MI

USDA Zone 6b

Here are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Muskegon, Michigan — all computed from Muskegon's nearest NOAA weather station.

In zone 6b, Muskegon gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.

Station · MUSKEGON CO AP · 6.4 km
Last spring frost
April 30
50% chance · 32°F
First fall frost
October 19
50% chance · 32°F
Growing season
172 days
frost-free
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Frost calendar for MuskegonA year-band showing 32°F frost risk from January to December for Muskegon: last spring frost around April 30, first fall frost around October 19, about 172 frost-free days between.
Shaded months carry frost risk; the clear span is the average frost-free season.

The average first fall frost in Muskegon is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →

Frost probability

MUSKEGON CO AP · 1991–2020

The 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 Muskegon’s own odds, recorded at MUSKEGON CO AP.

Frost-probability curves for MuskegonProbability of the last spring frost and first fall frost by date at 32°F. The last spring frost is most likely around April 30 and the first fall frost around October 19, giving about 172 frost-free days.
Last spring frostFirst fall frostbold = 32°F · thin = 28°F / 36°F · dot = 50% date · band = 10–90% window
ThresholdSPRING 10%SPRING 50%SPRING 90%FALL 10%FALL 50%FALL 90%
36°FMay 27May 12Apr 28Sep 24Oct 6Oct 19
32°FMay 18Apr 30Apr 17Oct 2Oct 19Nov 3
28°FMay 7Apr 19Apr 4Oct 17Nov 2Nov 19

Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.

What to plant now

TODAY · JULY 19
Fall sowopen now
Rutabaga
July 13July 27
Fall sowin 8 days
Broccoli
July 27August 10
Fall sowin 8 days
Cabbage
July 27August 10
Fall sowin 8 days
Carrot
July 27August 10
Fall sowin 8 days
Cauliflower
July 27August 10
Fall sowin 8 days
Napa Cabbage
July 27August 24
Fall sowin 22 days
Beet
August 10August 24
Fall sowin 22 days
Collards
August 10September 7
Fall sowin 22 days
Endive
August 10August 24
Fall sowin 22 days
Escarole
August 10August 24
Fall sowin 22 days
Fennel (Bulb)
August 10August 24
Fall sowin 22 days
Kale
August 10September 7
Fall sowin 22 days
Kohlrabi
August 10September 7
Fall sowin 22 days
Peas
August 10August 24
Fall sowin 22 days
Radicchio
August 10August 24
Fall sowin 22 days
Swiss Chard
August 10August 24
Fall sowin 22 days
Turnip
August 10September 7

Add these crops to your calendar (.ics) ↓

Full-year planting calendar

Start indoorsTransplantDirect sowFall sow

Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Muskegon, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.

Nearby weather stations

3 within 29 km · complete 32°F normals

When 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.

MUSKEGON CO AP
Primary
6 km · 191 m elevation
SPRING
Apr 30
FALL
Oct 19
GRAND HAVEN WWTP
19 km · 184 m elevation
SPRING
Apr 30
FALL
Oct 24
MONTAGUE 4 NW
29 km · 198 m elevation
SPRING
May 19
FALL
Oct 4

Muskegon planting FAQ

When is the last spring frost in Muskegon, MI?

On average, the last spring frost in Muskegon is around April 30 (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 Muskegon, MI?

In Muskegon, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 19 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.

What hardiness zone is Muskegon in?

Muskegon is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. In zone 6b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.

How long is the growing season in Muskegon?

Muskegon has about 172 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 30) and first fall frost (October 19).

When should I plant tomatoes in Muskegon?

For Muskegon, sow tomatoes indoors about March 5–March 19 and move the seedlings out around May 7, after the last spring frost.

Planting reminders

Never miss a window in Muskegon

An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Muskegon’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.

Nearby cities

8 within reach

Frost dates recorded at MUSKEGON CO AP, 6 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.

Cite this page
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Muskegon, MI — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014840. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/michigan/muskegon.
When to Plant in Muskegon, MI — Frost Dates & Zone 6b — BlissGarden