Hessel, MI frost dates
Last spring frostJun 1median date
First fall frostSep 21median date
Growing season112 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Hessel compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Hessel falls between May 18 and June 20, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 6 and October 5.
- The median last frost is 27 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 112-day growing season is among the shortest of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 29 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 201 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 18 |
| 50% (median) | June 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 6 |
| 50% (median) | September 21 |
| 90% (late) | October 5 |
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 Hessel, MI
Hessel, MI frost dates — last frost Jun 1, first frost Sep 21, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Apr 20 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 22 to Jul 6Sow outdoors: Jun 22 to Jul 6
Start indoors: Apr 20 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 22Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: May 4 to May 11Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 13
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Sow outdoors: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jul 6
Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hessel, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 11 – May 25 | May 4 – Jun 8 | Jul 27 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | Jun 22 – Jul 6 | — |
| Basil | Apr 20 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 27 – Jun 8 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cucumbers | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 22 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 4 – May 11 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 112 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 4 – May 11 | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 4 – May 11 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 |
| Beets | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 18 – Jun 15 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 112 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 15 – Jul 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
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 Rudyard 5se, MI weather station, 20 km away (elevation 666 ft (203 m)).
Frost dates near Hessel
- Cedarville May 31 · Sep 25
- Pickford May 31 · Sep 25
- Saint Ignace May 23 · Sep 30
- Goetzville May 31 · Sep 25
- Mackinac Island May 16 · Oct 13
- Kinross May 24 · Oct 1
- Pointe Aux Pins May 11 · Oct 11
- Kincheloe May 24 · Oct 1
- Barbeau May 31 · Sep 25
- Dafter May 24 · Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hessel, MI?
The median last spring frost in Hessel, MI is June 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Hessel, MI?
The median first fall frost is September 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 6.
How long is the growing season in Hessel, MI?
About 112 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hessel, MI?
Hessel, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.