Planting calendar for Detroit, Michigan

Dates from 30 years of records at the Detroit City Airport weather station, 5.7 miles from Detroit, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Detroit at a glance

Weather station: Detroit City Airport · 5.7 mi
USDA zone: 6b
Last spring frost: typically Apr 21; 1 year in 10 after May 6
First fall frost: typically Oct 31; 1 year in 10 before Oct 17
Frost-free season: about 193 days
Hottest month: July: highs 84°F, nights 65°F
Coldest month: January: highs 32°F, nights 20°F
Rain: 30 in. a year, most in May, June and July

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Detroit typically comes around Apr 21, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 6. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 31. That leaves about 193 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summers are mild, with highs around 84°F in July, so cool-season crops last longer here than in hotter places: leaf lettuce is best planted Mar 27–Apr 13, Jul 28–Sep 13.

Detroit gets about 30 inches of rain a year, most of it in May, June and July.

160 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 14 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Detroit, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celery, Catnip, Lovage, Parsley, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

March32

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Collard greens, Fava bean, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Mustard greens, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip

Herbs: Chamomile

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Arugula, Onion (bulbing), Radish

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Catnip, Feverfew, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Ground cherry, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

April59

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Dill, Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory

Fruit: Blackberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Bok choy / pak choi, Cabbage, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Shallot, Spinach, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi), Garlic chives, Oregano, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory, Blueberry, Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Milkweed (native), Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Sweet potato, Tomatillo, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native)

May46

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Basil, Epazote, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Thyme

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

Can also plant

Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Shallot, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Stevia, Tarragon (French), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Statice, Stock, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice

June56

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Ginger, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Stevia, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Eggplant, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Turnip, Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower

July65

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Purslane, Rutabaga, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Cilantro, Cuban oregano, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Moringa, Mustard greens, Okinawa spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Turnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Culantro, Dill, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Stevia, Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Stock, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pansy / viola, Stock

August50

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Kale, Mache (corn salad), Annual salvia, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

September18

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Broccoli raab (rapini), Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Turnip

Herbs: Chervil, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Detroit

160 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 22–Jun 5, Aug 13–25	Jun 6–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 7–21, Jul 12–Aug 1	May 22–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Apr 7–21	Apr 22–May 19	Feb 3–17	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 27–Apr 20, Aug 2–Sep 23	Mar 10–26, Apr 21–May 15, Jun 28–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 19	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 7–21, Jul 26–Aug 16	May 22–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 7–21, Jun 21–Jul 12	May 22–Jun 20	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 22–Jun 5, Jun 27–Jul 17	Jun 6–26	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 7–21, Jul 16–Aug 6	May 22–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 24–Apr 14, Aug 11–Sep 1	Apr 15–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 7–21, Jul 14–Aug 4	May 22–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Jul 29–Aug 25	Apr 7–20, Jul 8–28	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Jun 8–22	Jun 23–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 4–24	Apr 8–May 15, Jun 9–Aug 3	Feb 10–24, Jun 23–Jul 13	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 24–Apr 10, Aug 3–Sep 11	Apr 11–28, Jun 25–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 24–Apr 7, Jul 16–Aug 6	Apr 8–Jul 15	Feb 10–24, Jun 4–25	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 17–31, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 1–Jul 21	Feb 3–17, Jun 10–Jul 1	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Jun 18	Feb 17–Mar 3	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 31–Apr 21, Aug 1–22	Apr 22–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 31–Apr 14, Jul 21–Aug 10	Apr 15–May 17, Jun 16–Jul 20	Feb 17–Mar 3, Jun 9–29	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 10–24, Jun 17–Jul 8	Apr 25–Jun 16	Jan 23–Feb 6, Apr 1–22	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 24–May 8, Jun 13–Jul 4	May 9–Jun 12	Feb 6–20, Mar 28–Apr 18	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 10–24	Apr 25–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 31–Apr 21, Aug 9–29	Apr 22–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 15–Sep 5	Apr 8–Aug 14	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 7–21, Jul 19–Aug 9	May 22–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 7–21, Jul 17–Aug 6	May 22–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 31–Apr 14, Aug 11–Sep 1	Apr 15–May 5, Jul 2–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 22–Jun 5, Jun 29–Jul 19	Jun 6–28	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 2–22	Jun 6–Jul 1	Mar 20–Apr 3, Apr 30–May 20	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 10–Nov 14	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Mar 31–Apr 10, Jul 3–7, Jul 12–24	Jun 25–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Mar 11–23	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Apr 7–21, Jul 13–Aug 3	Apr 22–26, Jun 22–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 9–May 4, Aug 20–Sep 27	Apr 7–8, May 5–29, Jul 14–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 10–Nov 14	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 8–Jul 3	—	Apr 20–May 15	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 24–Apr 7	Apr 8–May 19	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Mar 10–31, Aug 28–Sep 17	Apr 1–Aug 27	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 19–Sep 8	Apr 8–Aug 18	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 20–Sep 16	Apr 21–May 17, Jun 18–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 24–Apr 7, Jul 6–27	Apr 8–Jul 5	Jan 20–Feb 3, May 4–25	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 27–Apr 13, Jul 28–Sep 13	Mar 24–26, Apr 14–May 8, Jun 21–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Jul 17–Aug 27	Mar 31–Apr 20, Jun 15–Jul 16	Jun 12–Jul 23	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	Jun 8–19	—	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Sep 1–25	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 6–31	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Jun 8–22, Jul 9–20	Jun 23–Jul 8	Apr 20–May 4, May 21–Jun 1	Set out plants
Moringa	Jun 8–22	Jun 23–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 23–Apr 14, Aug 6–Sep 21	Mar 10–22, Apr 15–May 4, Jul 1–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jul 6–Aug 22	Apr 7–24, Jun 6–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 7–21, Jul 19–Aug 8	May 22–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jun 8–22	Jun 23–Jul 29	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jun 8–22, Jul 17–26	Jun 23–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	May 27–Jul 18	Mar 10–May 26	Mar 11–May 2	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 31–Apr 21	Apr 22–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 11–25, Aug 9–29	Mar 26–May 18, Jun 15–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 11–25, Aug 9–29	Mar 26–May 17, Jun 12–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 13–27, Jun 24–Jul 15	May 28–Jun 23	Mar 11–25, Apr 22–May 13	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 7–21, Jul 4–25	May 22–Jul 3	Mar 5–19, May 2–23	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 7–14	May 15–Jun 29	—	Sow seeds
Potato	May 30–Jul 14	Mar 27–May 29	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 7–21, May 30–Jun 20	May 22–29	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 25–Aug 15	Jun 6–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 24–31	Apr 1–17	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 30–Apr 30, Aug 20–Oct 5	Mar 17–29, May 1–27, Jul 12–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 19	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Mar 24–31, Jul 21–Aug 11	Jun 12–Jul 7, Jul 12–20	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Mar 31–Apr 21, May 28–Jun 18	Apr 22–May 27	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	Jun 8–17	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Mar 10–24, Jul 11–Aug 1	Mar 25–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Jun 8–22, Jun 29–Jul 16	—	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Mar 10–Apr 4, Aug 24–Sep 30	Apr 5–24, Jul 12–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 7–21, Jul 22–Aug 11	May 22–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 21–May 12	Mar 31–Apr 20	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 7–14, Jul 4–24	May 15–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 8–20	—	Apr 20–May 2	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 31–Apr 21, Aug 16–Sep 6	Apr 22–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 7–21	May 22–Jul 22	Mar 26–Apr 9	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 7–21, Jul 19–Aug 8	May 22–Jul 18	Mar 19–Apr 2, May 31–Jun 20	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 28–May 5, Jul 24–Aug 13	May 6–Jul 23	Mar 10–17, Jun 5–25	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 6–27	Jun 6–Jul 5	Apr 3–17, May 18–Jun 8	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 7–21, Jul 6–27	May 22–Jul 5	Mar 19–Apr 2, May 18–Jun 8	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 7–21, Jul 4–24	May 22–Jul 3	Mar 19–Apr 2, May 16–Jun 5	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 21–Sep 11	Apr 8–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 31–Apr 14	Apr 15–May 26	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	Jun 8–19	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 22–Jun 20	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 7–21, Jun 9–30	May 22–Jun 8	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Jun 8–22, Jul 4–15	Jun 23–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	May 28–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 27	Apr 13–May 2	Set out plants
Basil	May 22–29, Jul 17–Aug 6	May 30–Jul 16	Apr 17–24, Jun 12–Jul 2	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	May 28–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 27	Apr 9–28	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 19–May 2, Jul 3–Aug 23	Apr 14–18, May 3–Jul 2	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 31–Apr 14, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 15–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Apr 7–28	Apr 29–May 19	Feb 17–Mar 10	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 24–Apr 7, Aug 6–27	Apr 8–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Aug 7–Sep 11	Mar 31–Apr 19, Jul 7–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Chives	May 26–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 25	Apr 7–28	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jul 19–Sep 3	Apr 7–23, Jun 18–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 19–Jul 17	May 22–Jun 18	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Jun 8–22, Jul 11–15	Jun 23–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Apr 7–14, Aug 7–28	Apr 15–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 7–21, Jul 31–Aug 21	May 22–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Jul 25–Sep 9	Apr 21–May 20, Jun 28–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Apr 14–29	Apr 30–Jun 9	Feb 24–Mar 11	Set out plants
Garlic chives	May 26–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 25	Apr 7–28	Set out plants
Lavender	May 23–Jun 16	Apr 28–May 22	Mar 7–31	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 12–May 3	Apr 7–11, May 4–19	Mar 8–29	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 23–Jun 16	Apr 28–May 22	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 8–Jul 3	—	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Apr 7–25	Apr 26–May 19	Feb 17–Mar 7	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 23–Jun 16	Apr 28–May 22	Apr 4–28	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 7–28	Apr 29–May 19	—	Set out plants
Oregano	May 25–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 24	Apr 6–28	Set out plants
Papalo	May 22–Jun 5	Jun 6–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 31–Apr 14, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 15–Jul 21	Jan 27–Feb 10, May 20–Jun 10	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 23–Jun 16	Apr 28–May 22	Mar 7–31	Set out plants
Sage	Apr 14–27, May 26–Jun 9	Apr 28–May 25	Feb 24–Mar 9, Apr 7–21	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 7–14	May 15–Aug 3	Apr 2–9	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 31–Apr 28	Apr 29–May 26	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 6–30	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 1–10	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 24–May 8	May 9–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Jun 1–16	Apr 21–May 31	—	Set out plants
Thyme	May 20–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 19	Mar 25–Apr 21	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Jun 4–Jul 2	May 7–Jun 3	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Jun 1–16	Apr 21–May 31	Apr 13–28	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 17–Apr 7	Apr 8–May 19	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 17–31	Apr 1–Jun 2	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 22–Jun 5, Jun 22–Jul 12	Jun 6–21	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 7–21	May 22–Jul 27	Apr 2–16	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 24–Apr 21	Apr 22–May 5	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 7–21	May 22–Aug 1	Mar 19–Apr 2	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 24–Apr 7	Apr 8–May 19	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 28–Apr 25	Mar 24–27, Apr 26–May 19	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 22–Jun 5, Jun 19–Jul 10	Jun 6–18	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 8–Jul 31	May 7–Jun 7, Aug 1–21	Mar 30–May 22	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 24–Apr 16, Jul 15–Aug 24	Apr 17–May 15, Jun 2–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	May 28–Jul 14	Apr 21–May 27, Jul 15–24	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Apr 7–26, Jul 13–Sep 8	Apr 27–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 24–Apr 16, Jul 15–Aug 24	Apr 17–May 15, Jun 2–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Jun 8–15, Jun 24–Jul 7	Jun 16–23	Apr 20–27, May 6–19	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 3–Jul 11	May 7–Jun 2, Jul 12–22	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Jun 7–Aug 2	Mar 24–Jun 6	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 10–Jul 14	May 22–Jun 9, Jul 15–30	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 10–Jul 14	May 22–Jun 9, Jul 15–30	Apr 22–May 26	Set out plants
Larkspur	Mar 10–31	Apr 1–10	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 7–Jul 27	May 7–Jun 6, Jul 28–Aug 16	Apr 19–Jun 8	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 25–Jun 16	Apr 21–May 24	Apr 20–May 12	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Jun 29–Aug 21	Apr 24–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Mar 10–31, Sep 3–23	Apr 1–May 8, Jul 25–Sep 2	Jun 18–Jul 8, Dec 23–Jan 13	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 28–Jul 29	Jun 8–27, Jul 30–Aug 10	Apr 26–May 27	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Apr 23–May 7, Jun 3–16	Apr 21–22, May 8–Jun 2	Feb 5–19, Mar 18–31	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 24–Apr 7, Jul 12–Aug 2	Apr 8–11, May 31–Jul 11	Jan 20–Feb 3, May 10–31	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 21–May 5, Jul 23–Aug 13	May 6–Jul 22	Feb 17–Mar 3, May 21–Jun 11	Set out plants
Stock	Apr 7–21, Aug 21–Sep 11	Apr 22–May 10, Jul 7–Aug 20	Feb 3–17, Jun 19–Jul 10	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 24–May 8, Jul 31–Aug 20	May 9–Jul 30	Mar 6–20, Jun 12–Jul 2	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 5–Jul 10	May 7–Jun 4, Jul 11–17	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 31–Apr 27, Jul 19–Sep 10	Apr 28–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 11–Apr 8	Apr 9–17	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 10–Jul 16	May 22–Jun 9, Jul 17–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Detroit

These need a climate Detroit doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Fig: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 22°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Columbus, OH 164 mi · last frost around Apr 20
Chicago, IL 238 mi · last frost around Apr 10
Indianapolis, IN 240 mi · last frost around Apr 20
Milwaukee, WI 252 mi · last frost around Apr 26
Charleston, WV 285 mi · last frost around Apr 16
All Michigan cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Detroit City Airport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).