Harbor Beach, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season175 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Harbor Beach compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Harbor Beach falls between April 19 and May 17, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 6.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 175-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 146 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 6 |
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 Harbor Beach, MI
Harbor Beach, MI frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 24, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Harbor Beach, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Harbor Beach 1 Sse, MI weather station, 4 km away (elevation 594 ft (181 m)).
Frost dates near Harbor Beach
- Ruth May 2 · Oct 24
- Port Hope May 5 · Oct 24
- Minden City May 2 · Oct 24
- Forestville May 2 · Oct 24
- Palms May 2 · Oct 24
- Filion May 8 · Oct 17
- Bad Axe May 5 · Oct 19
- Kinde May 8 · Oct 17
- Ubly May 5 · Oct 19
- Port Austin May 4 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Harbor Beach, MI?
The median last spring frost in Harbor Beach, MI is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Harbor Beach, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Harbor Beach, MI?
About 175 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Harbor Beach, MI?
Harbor Beach, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.