Buckley, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Buckley compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Buckley falls between April 26 and May 27, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 157-day growing season is longer than 40% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 11 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 149 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Buckley, MI
Buckley, MI frost dates — last frost May 12, first frost Oct 16, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Buckley, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 Traverse City Cherry Cptl Ap, MI weather station, 26 km away (elevation 617 ft (188 m)).
Frost dates near Buckley
- Mesick May 28 · Sep 25
- Grawn May 9 · Oct 15
- Kingsley May 24 · Oct 1
- Interlochen May 9 · Oct 15
- Copemish May 7 · Oct 20
- Mayfield May 12 · Oct 16
- Thompsonville May 7 · Oct 20
- Manton May 19 · Oct 1
- Harrietta May 28 · Sep 25
- Boon May 19 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Buckley, MI?
The median last spring frost in Buckley, MI is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Buckley, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Buckley, MI?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Buckley, MI?
Buckley, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.