Bay Shore, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season167 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Bay Shore compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bay Shore falls between April 23 and May 21, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than 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 7 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 147 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Bay Shore, MI
Bay Shore, MI frost dates — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 20, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bay Shore, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Petoskey, MI weather station, 10 km away (elevation 600 ft (183 m)).
Frost dates near Bay Shore
- Petoskey May 16 · Oct 9
- Charlevoix May 1 · Oct 28
- Walloon Lake May 16 · Oct 9
- Boyne City May 23 · Oct 3
- Conway May 16 · Oct 9
- Harbor Springs May 15 · Oct 16
- Oden May 16 · Oct 9
- Boyne Falls May 23 · Oct 3
- East Jordan May 23 · Oct 2
- Good Hart May 15 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bay Shore, MI?
The median last spring frost in Bay Shore, MI is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bay Shore, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Bay Shore, MI?
About 167 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bay Shore, MI?
Bay Shore, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.