Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Cadillac, MI
Plan your garden around Cadillac, MI's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
May 19
Safe Jun 3
Typical May 19
Risky May 2
First Fall Frost
October 1
Safe Sep 17
Typical Oct 1
Risky Oct 16
Growing Season
135 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a
A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.
Data: NOAA station CADILLAC, MI US, 1.6 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | May 26 – Jun 2 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Jun 2 – Jun 9 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 26 – Jun 2 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Apr 28 – May 5 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 2 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 2 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | Jun 2 – Jun 9 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | — | Jun 2 – Jun 9 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 20 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 20 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 6 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Aug 20 – Aug 27 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Apr 28 – May 5 | Jul 30 – Aug 6 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | May 5 – May 12 | Jul 23 – Jul 30 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 23 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 6 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 3 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 6 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 3 – Sep 17 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 26 – Jun 2 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 20 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 12 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | May 19 – May 26 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | May 19 – May 26 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 2 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | May 26 – Jun 2 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Apr 21 – Apr 28 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 2 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Cadillac, MI?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the CADILLAC, MI US station, the last spring frost in Cadillac typically falls around May 19. A cautious gardener might wait until June 3 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while May 2 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Cadillac, MI in fall?
The first fall frost in Cadillac typically arrives around October 1. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as September 17; in milder years it can hold off until October 16.
How long is the growing season in Cadillac, MI?
Cadillac's average frost-free growing season is about 135 days, running from the typical last spring frost (May 19) to the typical first fall frost (October 1).
What USDA hardiness zone is Cadillac, MI in?
Cadillac, MI is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.