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

Planting zone for Detroit, MI

Detroit, MI is in USDA zone 6b across its 46 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 31.

Detroit on the zone map

Outlined: its 28 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
ZIP codes46
Last frostApr 21
First frostOct 31
Growing season190 days

6b 46 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Detroit, MI…

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 Detroit, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Detroit City Airport, MI, elevation 627 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 Detroit

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 48208 came on Mar 26 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

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 6b in Michigan

582 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 58

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 105

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 221

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Grasses 175

alpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 8

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °F

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 Detroit, MI.

Soil in Detroit, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48208 is Riverfront — sandy loam, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH8.0alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter6.67%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Riverfront complex, dense substratum, 0 to 4 percent slopes.

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 48208; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Detroit, MI

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights125nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,018base 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)
Precipitation34.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 19 °F 33°19° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 20 °F 36°20° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 55 °F 75°55° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 43 °F 63°43° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 33 °F 49°33° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 25 °F 37°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.07 in precipitation 2.1 JanFebruary: 2.06 in precipitation 2.1 FebMarch: 2.50 in precipitation 2.5 MarApril: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.35 in precipitation 2.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dearborn #2, MI (4 mi away); precipitation: Dearborn #2, MI (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Detroit

482016b
−5 to 0 °F
482026b
−5 to 0 °F
482046b
−5 to 0 °F
482056b
−5 to 0 °F
482066b
−5 to 0 °F
482076b
−5 to 0 °F
482086b
−5 to 0 °F
482096b
−5 to 0 °F
482106b
−5 to 0 °F
482116b
−5 to 0 °F
482136b
−5 to 0 °F
482146b
−5 to 0 °F
482156b
−5 to 0 °F
482166b
−5 to 0 °F
482176b
−5 to 0 °F
482196b
−5 to 0 °F
482216b
−5 to 0 °F
482226b
−5 to 0 °F
482236b
−5 to 0 °F
482246b
−5 to 0 °F
482266b
−5 to 0 °F
482276b
−5 to 0 °F
482286b
−5 to 0 °F
482316b
−5 to 0 °F
482326b
−5 to 0 °F
482336b
−5 to 0 °F
482346b
−5 to 0 °F
482356b
−5 to 0 °F
482386b
−5 to 0 °F
482426b
−5 to 0 °F
482436b
−5 to 0 °F
482446b
−5 to 0 °F
482556b
−5 to 0 °F
482606b
−5 to 0 °F
482646b
−5 to 0 °F
482656b
−5 to 0 °F
482666b
−5 to 0 °F
482676b
−5 to 0 °F
482686b
−5 to 0 °F
482696b
−5 to 0 °F
482726b
−5 to 0 °F
482756b
−5 to 0 °F
482776b
−5 to 0 °F
482786b
−5 to 0 °F
482796b
−5 to 0 °F
482886b
−5 to 0 °F

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about Detroit

What planting zone is Detroit, MI?

Detroit, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map (6b: −5 to 0 °F).

When is the last frost in Detroit, MI?

The median last spring frost is April 21 and the median first fall frost is October 31 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Detroit City Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Detroit, MI?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 10 – Mar 31; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 28, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Detroit, 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 Detroit, MI get?

About 34.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).