It’s Time To Bring Your Plants In, West Michigan

Earlier this year, I wrote about when you could start setting your plants outside for the warmer months. Those warm days have persisted, with Grand Rapids having unseasonably hot weather well into October. Many of us have enjoyed visiting corn mazes and apple orchards in short sleeves and shorts, but those days have quickly come to an end as temperatures have dropped back to the mid-60s.

Get our free mobile app

But it isn't just the highs that are dropping; the lows are already giving us a taste of the next season, with Michigan experiencing its first frost of the season. As you change your wardrobe from spring to fall, it's also time to bring your plants in for the season.

Michigan's First Frost: Bring Your Plants Inside

Thursday morning (10/8) saw most of southern Michigan covered in freeze warnings or freeze advisories as the state finally remembered that it was no longer summer. According to WOODTV, this is well after Michigan's average first frost, with most of western Michigan experiencing its first frost between September 28th and October 1st.

READ MORE: Grand Haven State Park Begins Seasonal Closure for 2025

When the weather drops to freezing temperatures, it's time to bring your plants in, or you risk the water in their roots freezing and killing the plant. It's fine to keep your plants outside during the day as long as the temperature is over 40°F, but they should absolutely not be left outside going forward if the temperatures stay as low as they have been.

Now that is cold, birds all around Michigan have begun heading south for the winter. These are some of the ones you can expect to see.