Bad Axe, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 5median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season167 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Bad Axe compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bad Axe falls between April 22 and May 20, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and November 3.
- The median last frost is the same as the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 167-day growing season is longer than 65% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 150 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Flint, MI, 105 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Bad Axe, MI
Bad Axe, MI frost dates — last frost May 5, first frost Oct 19, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 12Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 9
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bad Axe, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 7 – May 12 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Basil | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 31 – May 12 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Bad Axe, MI weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 715 ft (218 m)).
Frost dates near Bad Axe
- Filion May 8 · Oct 17
- Ubly May 5 · Oct 19
- Elkton May 8 · Oct 17
- Kinde May 8 · Oct 17
- Owendale May 7 · Oct 10
- Pigeon May 8 · Oct 17
- Ruth May 2 · Oct 24
- Port Austin May 4 · Oct 26
- Port Hope May 5 · Oct 24
- Harbor Beach May 2 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bad Axe, MI?
The median last spring frost in Bad Axe, MI is May 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bad Axe, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Bad Axe, MI?
About 167 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bad Axe, MI?
Bad Axe, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.