Big Bay, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 22median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season137 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Big Bay compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Big Bay falls between May 3 and June 5, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 22.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 137-day growing season is longer than 18% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 21 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 181 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 3 |
| 50% (median) | May 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 22 |
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 Big Bay, MI
Big Bay, MI frost dates — last frost May 22, first frost Oct 6, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Big Bay, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | Apr 24 – May 29 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — |
| Basil | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 22 – Oct 27 |
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 Big Bay 1nw, MI weather station, 2 km away (elevation 764 ft (233 m)).
Frost dates near Big Bay
- National Mine May 22 · Sep 29
- Marquette May 8 · Oct 21
- Skanee Jun 1 · Sep 23
- Negaunee May 22 · Sep 29
- Champion Jun 5 · Sep 10
- Ishpeming May 26 · Sep 25
- Michigamme frost any month
- Palmer May 22 · Sep 29
- Lanse May 31 · Sep 22
- Republic frost any month
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Big Bay, MI?
The median last spring frost in Big Bay, MI is May 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Big Bay, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Big Bay, MI?
About 137 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Big Bay, MI?
Big Bay, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.