Beaver Island, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 11median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season161 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Beaver Island compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Beaver Island falls between April 27 and May 26, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 161-day growing season is longer than 47% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 151 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 27 |
| 50% (median) | May 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 26 |
| 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 Beaver Island, MI
Beaver Island, MI frost dates — last frost May 11, first frost Oct 19, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 18Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 15
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Beaver Island, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 13 – May 18 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Basil | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 6 – May 18 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 27 – May 25 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 25 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| 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 St James 4ssw Beaver, MI weather station, 3 km away (elevation 673 ft (205 m)).
Frost dates near Beaver Island
- Good Hart May 15 · Oct 16
- Cross Village May 15 · Oct 16
- Harbor Springs May 15 · Oct 16
- Gould City May 26 · Sep 30
- Bay Shore May 6 · Oct 20
- Charlevoix May 1 · Oct 28
- Naubinway May 26 · Sep 30
- Gulliver May 9 · Oct 10
- Pellston May 31 · Sep 18
- Levering May 21 · Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Beaver Island, MI?
The median last spring frost in Beaver Island, MI is May 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Beaver Island, 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 Beaver Island, MI?
About 161 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Beaver Island, MI?
Beaver Island, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.