What to plant this week in Detroit, MI
As temperatures hover near the -5°F minimum typical for Detroit's Zone 6b winters, this week marks a pivotal pause in your garden calendar. While garlic is now ready to be sown or harvested depending on its stage, the ground remains too cold for any new transplants until after our average last frost date of April 21.
The next 7 days
Detroit, MIGrowing in Detroit right now
- Protect young seedlings with heavy row covers if you attempt early spring work before mid-April, as sudden dips below freezing are common in the Motor City's urban heat island microclimates.
- Detroit soils often become waterlogged during our frequent April rains; ensure drainage is excellent before planting garlic or any fall crops to prevent rot.
- Take advantage of this week to mulch heavily around perennials and shrubs, as a layer of straw or wood chips insulates roots against the harsh lake-effect chill common in southeastern Michigan.
Sow this week
1 crops- Garlic
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Garlic
Seasonal tips
- Plant hardy garlic cloves immediately in well-drained soil with tips pointing upward.
- Prepare garden beds by loosening compacted soil to encourage healthy root development for next year's crops.
- Apply a layer of compost around existing perennials to protect emerging plants from late frosts.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early spring snow mold on overwintered bulbs if heavy wet snow persists after the initial freeze.
- Check garlic cloves for internal rot caused by soil saturation during our unpredictable rain patterns this month.
Watering this week
Water garlic cloves lightly after planting, then wait until the soil is moist but not soggy before watering again.
Since Daikon radish will be ready soon, mark those spots now so you can plant a quick succession crop like lettuce once they are harvested.
Detroit gardening questions
3Can I plant tomatoes now in Detroit?
No, waiting until after April 21 is essential because a late frost can kill young tomato plants before they establish strong roots in our clay-heavy local soils.
When should I harvest my garlic if it's ready this week?
If your garlic shows signs of maturity now, wait for the lower leaves to yellow and fall over naturally; digging too early will result in bulbs that don't cure properly in Detroit's humid spring air.
Is there any reason to sow new seeds immediately?
Not yet; while you can plant cold-tolerant garlic now, most other vegetables need the soil to warm up significantly after our typical mid-April thaw before they will germinate successfully.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Detroit garden in SproutGuide →