When to plant in Norton Shores, MI
USDA Zone 6bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Norton Shores, Michigan — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6b means Norton Shores 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 Norton Shores is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
MUSKEGON CO 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 Norton Shores’s own odds, recorded at MUSKEGON CO AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 27 | May 12 | Apr 28 | Sep 24 | Oct 6 | Oct 19 |
| 32°F | May 18 | Apr 30 | Apr 17 | Oct 2 | Oct 19 | Nov 3 |
| 28°F | May 7 | Apr 19 | Apr 4 | Oct 17 | Nov 2 | Nov 19 |
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 Norton Shores, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 35 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.
Norton Shores planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Norton Shores, MI?
Norton Shores's average last spring frost falls near April 30 — 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 Norton Shores, MI?
The first fall frost in Norton Shores typically arrives around October 19 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Norton Shores in?
Norton Shores 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 Norton Shores?
There are roughly 172 frost-free days in Norton Shores (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 30 to the first fall frost near October 19.
When should I plant tomatoes in Norton Shores?
In Norton Shores, start tomato seeds indoors around March 5–March 19, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Norton Shores
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Norton Shores’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Muskegon · 7 km
- Grand Haven · 13 km
- Allendale · 32 km
- Walker · 43 km
- Jenison · 45 km
- Holland · 46 km
- Comstock Park · 47 km
- Grandville · 49 km
Frost dates recorded at MUSKEGON CO AP, 0 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 Norton Shores, MI — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014840. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/michigan/norton-shores.