When is the last frost in East Lansing, MI?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in East Lansing is around May 1, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Lansing Capital City Ap, MI station (6.1 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in East Lansing?

The average first fall frost in East Lansing, MI is around October 13, giving roughly a 162-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is East Lansing, MI?

East Lansing is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -10 to -5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in East Lansing?

In East Lansing, MI the warmest month is July (avg high 82.8°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 17.2°F). It averages about 33.3″ of precipitation a year and 50.2″ of snow.

Home › Michigan › East Lansing

East Lansing, MI Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 48823 · elevation 256′ · NOAA & USDA data

East Lansing is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 162 days between the average last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (October 13). The warmest month is July (avg high 82.8°F); the coldest is January (avg low 17.2°F). It averages 33.3″ of precipitation a year and 50.2″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -10 to -5°F

Last spring frost

May 1

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 13

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

162 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 82.8°F

Month-by-month typical weather in East Lansing

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Lansing Capital City Ap, MI (6.1 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	30.6	17.2	23.9	2.1	14.3
February	33.5	18.3	25.9	1.7	12.9
March	44.4	26	35.2	2.1	5.9
April	57.6	36.4	47	3.3	1.7
May	69.4	47.5	58.4	3.7	0
June	78.9	57.1	68	3.8	0
July	82.8	60.9	71.8	2.9	0
August	80.6	59.5	70	3.5	0
September	73.6	51.5	62.5	2.8	0
October	60.5	41.2	50.8	3.2	0.2
November	47	31.9	39.5	2.5	3.9
December	35.7	23.3	29.5	1.9	11.3

What to plant when in East Lansing

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 20 · Transplant out: May 8
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 6 · Transplant out: May 15
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 8
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 8
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 8
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 8
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 8
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 27 · Sow (fall): August 18
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 20 · Sow (fall): August 18
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): April 3 · Sow (fall): August 18
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 10 · Sow (fall): August 4
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 17
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 10 · Sow (fall): August 4
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): April 3
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 17
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): April 3 · Sow (fall): September 1

Dates are computed from East Lansing's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Michigan

Lansing, MI Flint, MI Battle Creek, MI Ann Arbor, MI Novi, MI Saginaw, MI Midland, MI Pontiac, MI

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Lansing Capital City Ap, MI, 6.1 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Lansing Capital City Ap, MI, 6.1 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.