Kalkaska, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 24median date
First fall frostOct 1median date
Growing season130 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Kalkaska compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Kalkaska falls between May 7 and June 7, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 14.
- The median last frost is 19 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 130-day growing season is longer than 10% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 21 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 179 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 7 |
| 50% (median) | May 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 1 |
| 90% (late) | October 14 |
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 Kalkaska, MI
Kalkaska, MI frost dates — last frost May 24, first frost Oct 1, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 25 to Jul 16
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 23
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 21Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 28
Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Kalkaska, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | Apr 26 – May 31 | Aug 6 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 25 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Basil | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 31 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Beets | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 17 – Oct 22 |
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 Kalkaska, MI weather station, 4 km away (elevation 1,037 ft (316 m)).
Frost dates near Kalkaska
- South Boardman May 24 · Oct 4
- Alden May 24 · Oct 1
- Rapid City May 24 · Oct 1
- Mancelona May 24 · Oct 1
- Fife Lake May 24 · Oct 1
- Williamsburg May 12 · Oct 16
- Bellaire May 23 · Oct 2
- Elk Rapids May 13 · Oct 19
- Alba May 15 · Oct 7
- Acme May 12 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Kalkaska, MI?
The median last spring frost in Kalkaska, MI is May 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Kalkaska, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Kalkaska, MI?
About 130 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Kalkaska, MI?
Kalkaska, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.