Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Canton, MI

Canton, MI is in USDA zones 6a to 6b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 24.

Canton on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zones6a–6b−10 to 0 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 24

First frostOct 24

Growing season179 days

6a 1 ZIP 6b 1 ZIP

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Canton, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Detroit Willow Run Airport, MI, elevation 778 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Canton

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 24) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 48187 came on Mar 27 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Mar 27

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6a in Michigan

580 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Canton, MI.

Soil in Canton, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48187 is Pewamo — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Pewamo loam.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 48187; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Canton, MI

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights130nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,267base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation36 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Detroit Willow Run Airport, MI (7 mi away); precipitation: Plymouth 5.4 W, MI (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Canton

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about Canton

What planting zone is Canton, MI?

Canton, MI is in USDA hardiness zones 6a to 6b on the 2023 map (6a: −10 to −5 °F; 6b: −5 to 0 °F).

When is the last frost in Canton, MI?

The median last spring frost is April 24 and the median first fall frost is October 24 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Detroit Willow Run Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Canton, MI?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 13 – Apr 3; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 1, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Canton, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Canton, MI get?

About 36 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).