FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Michigan

In a typical Michigan location, start seeds indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 26 in Port Huron and as late as May 26 in Cadillac.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
DetroitFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
Grand RapidsMar 11 – Mar 25May 13 – May 20
WarrenFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
Sterling HeightsMar 5 – Mar 19May 7 – May 14
Ann ArborMar 10 – Mar 24May 12 – May 19
LansingMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
Clinton TownshipMar 5 – Mar 19May 7 – May 14
FlintMar 11 – Mar 25May 13 – May 20
DearbornMar 2 – Mar 16May 4 – May 11
LivoniaMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
CantonFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
TroyMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
WestlandFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
Farmington HillsMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
KalamazooMar 3 – Mar 17May 5 – May 12
WaterfordMar 4 – Mar 18May 6 – May 13
WyomingMar 11 – Mar 25May 13 – May 20
ShelbyMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
Rochester HillsMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
SouthfieldMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
West Bloomfield TownshipMar 4 – Mar 18May 6 – May 13
TaylorFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
PontiacMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
Saint Clair ShoresMar 4 – Mar 18May 6 – May 13
Royal OakFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
NoviMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
Dearborn HeightsMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15
Battle CreekMar 5 – Mar 19May 7 – May 14
KentwoodMar 11 – Mar 25May 13 – May 20
RedfordMar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – May 15

Showing the 30 most populous of 120 Michigan cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Michigan cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Michigan?

In a typical Michigan location, start seeds indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 26 in Port Huron and as late as May 26 in Cadillac.

When is the last frost in Michigan?

The average last spring frost in Michigan ranges from April 19 in Port Huron to May 19 in Cadillac, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Michigan

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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