When to plant winter squash in Michigan
Michigan spans USDA zones 4b–6b, so the right time to plant winter squash shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about April 26 in Port Huron to May 26 in Cadillac — below are local dates for 101 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 6b | April 27 | October 25 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Grand Rapids | 6a | May 6 | October 10 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Warren | 6b | April 21 | October 31 | April 28 – May 12 |
| Sterling Heights | 6b | April 30 | October 24 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Ann Arbor | 6a | May 5 | October 10 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Lansing | 6a | May 1 | October 13 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Dearborn | 6b | May 1 | October 15 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Livonia | 6b | May 1 | October 17 | May 8 – May 22 |
Winter Squash in Michigan: FAQ
When can I plant winter squash in Michigan?
Across Michigan, the time to direct-sow winter squash spans roughly April 26 in Port Huron to May 26 in Cadillac, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the winter squash planting date vary across Michigan?
Yes. Michigan publishes 101 cities with their own frost dates, so the right winter squash planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does winter squash take to grow in Michigan?
Winter Squash takes about 85–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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