11 Best Vegetables to Grow in Detroit, MI

Detroit residents have ample choices for vegetables to grow in their gardens. Detroit is located on the southern portion of Michigan, falling in the USDA Hardiness Zone 5. Frost and cold weather are normal for the state, and the growing season is shorter than southern states. So, residents have to pick the best vegetables to grow in Detroit to ensure they reap a good harvest.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have a vegetable garden. A majority of the planting takes places in April or May, and fall crops can be planted in August. You want a majority of your garden area to receive full sun, and be sure to have well-draining soil.

Urban gardening is growing in popularity through the Detroit area, as well as the suburbs beyond. Groups, such as Keep Growing Detroit, work to support urban farmers and provide resources. You can find urban farms, where you can purchase veggies or help grow them. Earthwork Urban Farm is a 2.5-acre farm right downtown that offers workshops for local gardeners and gives food to the poor throughout the city.

1. Sweet Corn

Sweet corn requires full sun and should be planted two to four inches apart in rows. You should plant them in mid-April because most sweet corn varieties are hardy and frost tolerant. Corn should be knee high by the 4th of July for a successful harvest. Most varieties take 58 to 92 days to harvest.

2. Carrots

Carrots grow great throughout the entire state of Michigan. You need well-draining, non-compacted soil. Rake your garden bed well to ensure all of the rocks are out because carrots grow straight downward. Luckily, Michigan has a lot of muck, which is composted humus, throughout the soil.

Carrots prefer cool soil and temperatures. They don’t like hot heat, making them an ideal spring and fall crop. You should plant in early April and wait around 120 days to harvest. Carrots take time to germinate, so some gardeners plant rows of radishes between each row carrots because they germinate fast.

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the quintessential veggie for summer gardening. Tomato plants aren’t frost hardy, so you have to make sure to plant after the threat of frost passes. Middle of May is a safe time to plant.

Urban gardeners who are limited in space might want to try determinate tomatoes rather than indeterminate. Determinate tomato plants produce their crop all at one time, but they tend to be more compact and grow well in containers.

4. Lettuce

Lettuce is a cooler weather crop, so it grows well in Michigan. Greens, including spinach and lettuce, need well-draining soil that are rich in nutrients. Most varieties are frost hardy, so plan to plant them outside in April. Remember to put each head of lettuce about six inches apart.

Succession planting, which means planting a row every one to two weeks, allows you have a harvest throughout the season.

5. Zucchini

Zucchini grows fast, typically requiring only 60 to 70 days from planting to harvest. You can also use succession planting for zucchini to spread out your harvest. Drowning in zucchini is a plight many gardeners face.

6. Green Beans

Another summer crop for your Detroit garden is green beans. You can grow either pole or bush beans. Pole beans are great for those who need to conserve their space. They will grow right up to a fence or trellis. Pole beans also spread their harvest over a bigger time frame. Bush beans are compact and produce heavily at one time. Plant when the threat of frost passes in May, or you can plant in July for a September harvest.

7. Peas

Another summer crop for your Detroit garden is green beans. You can grow either pole or bush beans. Pole beans are great for those who need to conserve their space. They will grow right up to a fence or trellis. Pole beans also spread their harvest over a bigger time frame. Bush beans are compact and produce heavily at one time. Plant when the threat of frost passes in May, or you can plant in July for a September harvest.

8. Broccoli

Broccoli is an annual vegetable in the Brassica family, along with cauliflower and cabbage. It performs well in Zone 5 because it prefers the cooler temperatures and moist soil, even as it's exposed to full sunlight. Established broccoli plants can handle some frost. Plant in the early spring, around April, for a June harvest. You also can plant in July for September harvest.

9. Cucumbers

Another great veggie for the Detroit garden is cucumbers, especially if you are a pickle lover. Cucumbers grow vertically up fences, so pick your location wisely. Make sure they receive full sun. Cucumbers grow fast, requiring around 75 days to harvest. That isn’t a long time! Plant in May for harvest in July and August.

10. Radishes

Radishes are one of the fastest crops to plant. Some varieties are ready to harvest in three weeks. You can use them to mark your rows of carrots or grow a separate bed of radishes. This crop prefers the cooler temperatures, making it an excellent spring and fall crop. Plant in April for a June harvest, or plant in August for a September harvest.

11. Cabbage

Plant a few heads of cabbage in your Detroit garden. Cabbage is another cooler weather crop that grows well in Zone 5. You need to plant the seeds inside around February, and they’ll be ready to outside into the garden around April. Cabbage handles light frost well and doesn’t love hot weather.

Detroit vegetable gardeners have plenty of choices. Try to plant one or all of these vegetables in your garden beds this year. Fall gardening is a great choice for Detroit gardeners, so it isn’t too late to plant. You can plant vegetables from April to August and still get a harvest.

Need help preparing your garden? Visit our Detroit lawn care page to get in touch with a professional! In addition to Detroit, we provide lawn care services in other cities including Grand Rapids and Lansing.