Detroit, MI Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Detroit

No planting windows from our rules fall in October; see the month-by-month list below.

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Apr 27, 50% risk), balanced = May 2 (30%), safe = May 11 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

Frost odds aren't the only check. CSU recommends measuring soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before you sow. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so we list each crop's minimum soil temperature from CSU instead of a date.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Detroit

What to plant in Detroit in February

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Feb 14–28)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Feb 14–28)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Feb 28 – Mar 14)

What to plant in Detroit in March

• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Mar 14 – Apr 4)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Mar 21 – Apr 4)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Feb 28 – Mar 14)

What to plant in Detroit in April

• Start tomato seeds indoors (Apr 7–21)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Apr 27 – May 11)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 27 – May 11)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Apr 27 – May 11)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Apr 27 – May 11)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Mar 14 – Apr 4)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Mar 21 – Apr 4)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 27)

What to plant in Detroit in May

• Peppers: transplant outdoors (May 11–25)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (May 11–25)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (May 11–25)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (May 11–25)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (May 11–25)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (May 26)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (May 30 – Jun 13)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 13 – May 11)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Apr 27 – May 11)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 27 – May 11)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Apr 27 – May 11)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Apr 27 – May 11)

What to plant in Detroit in June

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 19 – Jul 3)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (May 30 – Jun 13)

What to plant in Detroit in July

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Jul 18)
• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Jul 29)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 19 – Jul 3)

What to plant in Detroit in August

• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Aug 2)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Aug 3)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Aug 7)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 7)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Aug 8)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Aug 12)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Aug 12)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Aug 12)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Aug 12)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Aug 22)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Aug 22)

What to plant in Detroit in September

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Sep 1)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Sep 11)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Detroit

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to transplant tomatoes at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, with nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would put Detroit at about May 11, but the average nightly low at Dearborn #2 isn't above 52°F until May 26, so the transplant date is about May 26 for the typical, balanced and safer choices alike. Start seeds indoors Apr 7–21, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on May 26. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Dearborn #2 reaches 55°F on Jun 2. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, tomato plants set out on May 26 would start producing around Jul 30. That's 87 days before the typical first frost (Oct 25).

When to plant peppers in Detroit

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost), set peppers out around May 11 with the typical date, May 16 for a balanced choice, or May 25 with the safer 10% date. Sow seeds indoors Mar 21 – Apr 4, 6–8 weeks before transplanting on May 16. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Dearborn #2, the normal low reaches 55°F on Jun 2. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for pepper plants is 70 days. Set out on May 16, they would start producing around Jul 25, 92 days before the typical first frost (Oct 25).

When to plant potatoes in Detroit

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, potatoes can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 13–27 in Detroit (typical date) or Apr 27 – May 11 (safer date). The soil should be at least 45°F.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Detroit

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Detroit, that's roughly Mar 30 – Apr 13 going by the typical date, or Apr 13–27 going by the safer date.

When to plant peas in Detroit

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 30 – Apr 13 in Detroit using the typical date, or Apr 13–27 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 7 (Jul 23 to be safe), which is 79 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Detroit

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 30 – Apr 13 in Detroit using the typical date, or Apr 13–27 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 12, or by Jul 28 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Detroit

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, carrots can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 13–27 in Detroit (typical date) or Apr 27 – May 11 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 2, or by Jul 18 to be safe. That's 84 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beans (snap) in Detroit

Tender crop. CSU says to sow beans (snap) around the average last frost, about Apr 27 in Detroit. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until May 11. Seeds need soil of at least 55°F. For a fall crop, sow by Jul 29, or by Jul 14 to be safe. That's 88 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Detroit

Tender crop. CSU says to sow summer squash around the average last frost, about Apr 27 in Detroit. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until May 11. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 78 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 8, or by Jul 24 to be safe.

When to plant broccoli in Detroit

Hardy crop. Per CSU, broccoli can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Detroit, that works out to roughly Mar 30 – Apr 13 (typical date) or Apr 13–27 (safer date). Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, broccoli plants set out on Apr 4 would start producing around Jun 8. That's 139 days before the typical first frost (Oct 25). For a fall harvest of broccoli, get transplants in the ground by Aug 7 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Oct 25, with CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jun 19 – Jul 3, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cabbage in Detroit

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Detroit, that's roughly Mar 30 – Apr 13 going by the typical date, or Apr 13–27 going by the safer date. Set out on Apr 4, cabbage plants would start producing around Jun 28, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 119 days before the typical first frost (Oct 25). For a fall harvest of cabbage, get transplants in the ground by Jul 18 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Oct 25, with CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds May 30 – Jun 13, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cauliflower in Detroit

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting cauliflower as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Detroit, that's roughly Apr 13–27 by the typical date or Apr 27 – May 11 by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in Detroit

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 30 – Apr 13 in Detroit using the typical date, or Apr 13–27 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 22 (Aug 7 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Detroit

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 30 – Apr 13 in Detroit using the typical date, or Apr 13–27 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For fall, sow by Aug 12 (Jul 28 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Detroit

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Detroit, that's roughly Mar 30 – Apr 13 going by the typical date, or Apr 13–27 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 11, or by Aug 27 to be safe. That's 44 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Detroit

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Detroit, that's roughly Mar 30 – Apr 13 going by the typical date, or Apr 13–27 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 1, or by Aug 17 to be safe. That's 54 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Detroit

Hardy crop. Per CSU, turnips can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Detroit, that works out to roughly Mar 30 – Apr 13 (typical date) or Apr 13–27 (safer date). For a fall crop, sow by Aug 22, or by Aug 7 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Detroit

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says beets can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Detroit, that's roughly Apr 13–27 going by the typical date, or Apr 27 – May 11 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 12 (Jul 28 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in Detroit

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says swiss chard can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Detroit, that's roughly Apr 13–27 going by the typical date, or Apr 27 – May 11 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 12 (Jul 28 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Detroit

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says parsnips can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 35°F. In Detroit, that's roughly Apr 13–27 going by the typical date, or Apr 27 – May 11 going by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Detroit

Tender crop. CSU's timing for sweet corn is around the average last frost, which is about Apr 27 in Detroit. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until May 11. Seeds want soil at 50°F or warmer.

When to plant cucumbers in Detroit

Tender crop. CSU's timing for cucumbers is around the average last frost, which is about Apr 27 in Detroit. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until May 11. Seeds want soil at 60°F or warmer. For fall, sow by Aug 3 (Jul 19 to be safe), which is 83 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Detroit

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set eggplant out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about May 11 using the typical date, May 16 as a balanced choice, or May 25 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Mar 14 – Apr 4, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on May 16. Set out on May 16, eggplant plants would start producing around Jul 15, based on CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 102 days before the typical first frost (Oct 25).

When to plant cantaloupe in Detroit

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant cantaloupe 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about May 11 (typical date), May 16 (balanced) or May 25 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Detroit

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant watermelon at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about May 11 using the typical date, May 16 as a balanced choice, or May 25 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Detroit

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant winter squash at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about May 11 using the typical date, May 16 as a balanced choice, or May 25 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Detroit?

Sow tomatoes indoors Apr 7–21 and peppers Mar 21 – Apr 4. We work back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Detroit?

About May 26, at every risk level. CSU wants tomatoes out 2+ weeks after the average last frost (that rule alone gives about May 11 here) and nights above 52°F. At Dearborn #2, the average nightly low first rises above 52°F on May 26, later than the frost-rule date, so the night rule sets the date.

What can I plant in Detroit in the fall?

Based on UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Oct 25), the deadlines are: peas by Aug 7; lettuce (leaf) by Aug 12; carrots by Aug 2; beans (snap) by Jul 29; summer squash by Aug 8; broccoli by Aug 7 (transplants); cabbage by Jul 18 (transplants); kohlrabi by Aug 22; green onions by Aug 12; radishes by Sep 11; spinach by Sep 1; turnips by Aug 22; beets by Aug 12; swiss chard by Aug 12; cucumbers by Aug 3.

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