Ellsworth, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 16median date
First fall frostOct 6median date
Growing season143 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Ellsworth compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ellsworth falls between April 29 and May 30, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 22 and October 23.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 143-day growing season is longer than 28% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 15 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 170 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 29 |
| 50% (median) | May 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 22 |
| 50% (median) | October 6 |
| 90% (late) | October 23 |
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 Ellsworth, MI
Ellsworth, MI frost dates — last frost May 16, first frost Oct 6, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 30 to Jul 21
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 20
Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ellsworth, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 18 – May 23 | Aug 11 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 30 – Jul 21 |
| Okra | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Basil | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 23 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| 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 E Jordan 2nw, MI weather station, 9 km away (elevation 646 ft (197 m)).
Frost dates near Ellsworth
- Eastport May 23 · Oct 2
- Central Lake May 23 · Oct 2
- East Jordan May 23 · Oct 2
- Charlevoix May 1 · Oct 28
- Kewadin May 13 · Oct 19
- Boyne City May 23 · Oct 3
- Bellaire May 23 · Oct 2
- Bay Shore May 6 · Oct 20
- Omena May 9 · Oct 26
- Northport May 9 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ellsworth, MI?
The median last spring frost in Ellsworth, MI is May 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ellsworth, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 22.
How long is the growing season in Ellsworth, MI?
About 143 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ellsworth, MI?
Ellsworth, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.