When to Sow Sweet Corn in Michigan
Sweet corn in Michigan goes into the ground once soil hits 60 F, which lands in mid-to-late May across most of the Lower Peninsula and can slip into…
Gardening in Michigan
Everything we have worked out for Michigan: what to plant and when, which varieties finish in time, the pests that actually turn up here, and the jobs that pay off month by month. We also cover the rest of the property, from lawns and soil to home care and energy, because a garden rarely stops at the vegetable bed.
The numbers first, because everything else follows from them. Measured at the weather station in Detroit, the last spring freeze runs April 30 in the Detroit area; early to mid May across most of the Lower Peninsula and the first fall freeze runs October 6 to October 21, USDA zones 4a-6b, 3,248 growing degree days in the year.
Garlic does well: 26.1 weeks below 40 °F, comfortably past the six it needs to form a proper head.
Elsewhere on the property in Michigan: the pests that turn up here.
Figures from NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals. A state is not one climate: elevation, a large lake or the coast can move these dates by two weeks either way, so check your own county with the extension service before you spend money.
When to Sow Autumn Spinach in Michigan
Sow autumn spinach in Michigan between mid-August and early September, counting back 50 to 75 days from the harvest you’re aiming for, before the first…
Will Spinach Bolt Early in Michigan?
Spinach will almost certainly bolt early in Michigan, and the biggest reason isn’t the state’s heat, it’s the length of the day.
Will Michigan Soil Hold an Asparagus Bed for Fifteen Years?
Yes, for most of the state, a well-sited asparagus bed can outlast a car loan and two kitchen remodels.
When to Plant Asparagus Crowns in Michigan
Plant asparagus crowns in Michigan in early spring, once the soil has thawed and dried enough to work, roughly the window that opens after the region’s…
Growing Sweet Corn in Michigan: Will It Ripen?
Yes, sweet corn can ripen in Michigan, but the calendar math is tighter than most gardeners assume.
Growing Asparagus in Michigan: Fifteen Years in One Spot
Fifteen years is a long time to bet on one patch of ground, but that’s the deal with asparagus.
When to Sow Pumpkins in Michigan
Michigan gardeners get one real shot at pumpkin timing, and for most of the Lower Peninsula that means sowing seed sometime between late May and the…
Will Pumpkins Ripen Before Frost in Michigan?
Michigan’s first fall frost lands anywhere from October 6 to October 21 depending on where you garden.
When to Sow Parsnips in Michigan
In most of Michigan, parsnip seed goes into the ground two to three weeks before the last spring frost, which lands around April 30 near Detroit and…