April Advantage
Michigan's Hidden Early Season
Most Michigan gardeners wait until after last frost to plant — missing 6–8 weeks of productive growing time. Cool-season crops thrive in Michigan's April temperatures (40–65°F) and can tolerate light frosts. Plant them now and harvest before summer heat arrives.
Zone tip: Zone 6a–6b gardeners (Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing) can plant cool-season crops as early as mid-March in a raised bed or cold frame. Zone 5a–5b gardeners in northern Michigan should wait until mid-April outdoors.
Cool-season greens planted in April provide fresh harvests through May and early June before summer heat arrives.
Crop Directory
What to Plant When in Michigan
| Crop | Direct Sow or Transplant? | Zone 6a–6b (S. Michigan) | Zone 5b (N. LP) | Frost Tolerance | Days to Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peas (shelling/snap) | Direct sow | March 20 – April 10 | April 10–25 | Tolerates 28°F | 60–70 days |
| Spinach | Direct sow | March 15 – April 5 | April 5–20 | Tolerates 25°F | 40–50 days |
| Lettuce (all types) | Either | March 20 – April 15 | April 10–30 | Tolerates 28°F | 45–60 days |
| Arugula | Direct sow | March 15 – April 10 | April 5–25 | Tolerates 25°F | 35–45 days |
| Radishes | Direct sow | March 20 – April 15 | April 10–30 | Tolerates 28°F | 25–30 days |
| Kale / Chard | Either | March 25 – April 15 | April 10–30 | Tolerates 20°F | 55–70 days |
| Broccoli / Cabbage | Transplant | April 1–20 | April 20 – May 5 | Tolerates 28°F | 65–80 days |
| Carrots | Direct sow | April 1–20 | April 15 – May 1 | Tolerates 28°F | 70–80 days |
| Beets | Direct sow | April 1–20 | April 15 – May 1 | Tolerates 28°F | 55–70 days |
| Potatoes | Direct plant | April 10–30 | April 25 – May 10 | Foliage frost-tender | 70–100 days |
Season Extension
Extend Your Cool Season with Simple Tools
Row cover fabric
Lightweight spunbond fabric adds 4–8°F of frost protection and lets you start 2–3 weeks earlier. Use wire hoops to keep it off plant surfaces. Leave the ends open on warm days to prevent overheating.
Cold frames
A simple cold frame — wood box with old window sash on top — can give Michigan gardeners a month of additional growing time on each end of the season. Zone 6b gardeners can grow spinach and kale year-round with a cold frame.
Succession sow
Sow lettuce and spinach every 2 weeks from first planting through early May. When the first sowing bolts in June heat, the third sowing is just hitting its prime. You get continuous harvest instead of a glut and then nothing.
More Michigan Gardening Resources
Seed Starting Guide
Planting Zones by City
Soil Testing 101
Last Frost Dates by City
Raised Beds for Clay Soil
When to Plant Tomatoes
Vegetable Planting Calendar
Eastern Market Detroit
Companion Planting Guide
Organic Pest Control
Best Herbs to Grow
Watering Your Garden
Succession Planting
Backyard Composting
Canning & Preserving
Fall Vegetable Garden
Native Plants for Pollinators
Winterizing Your Garden
Seed Saving Guide