Bark River, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 13median date
First fall frostOct 7median date
Growing season147 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Bark River compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bark River falls between April 30 and May 31, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 20.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 147-day growing season is longer than 31% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 10 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 175 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 30 |
| 50% (median) | May 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 7 |
| 90% (late) | October 20 |
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 Bark River, MI
Bark River, MI frost dates — last frost May 13, first frost Oct 7, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 17
Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bark River, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 15 – May 20 | Aug 12 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Basil | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 8 – May 20 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 23 – Oct 28 |
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 Escanaba, MI weather station, 9 km away (elevation 591 ft (180 m)).
Frost dates near Bark River
- Harris May 13 · Oct 7
- Escanaba May 13 · Oct 7
- Wells May 13 · Oct 7
- Wilson May 13 · Oct 7
- Gladstone May 19 · Oct 1
- Spalding May 19 · Oct 1
- Cornell May 19 · Oct 1
- Powers May 19 · Oct 1
- Perronville May 19 · Oct 1
- Nadeau May 22 · Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bark River, MI?
The median last spring frost in Bark River, MI is May 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bark River, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Bark River, MI?
About 147 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bark River, MI?
Bark River, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.