Lake Leelanau, MI frost dates
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season185 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Lake Leelanau compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lake Leelanau falls between April 16 and May 15, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 14.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 185-day growing season is longer than 96% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 8 days later than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 133 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 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 Lake Leelanau, MI
Lake Leelanau, MI frost dates — last frost Apr 30, first frost Nov 1, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lake Leelanau, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 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 Nw Michigan Rsch Farm, MI weather station, 12 km away (elevation 820 ft (250 m)).
Frost dates near Lake Leelanau
- Suttons Bay Apr 30 · Nov 1
- Omena May 9 · Oct 26
- Cedar May 22 · Oct 9
- Northport May 9 · Oct 26
- Maple City May 22 · Oct 9
- Old Mission May 13 · Oct 19
- Leland May 9 · Oct 26
- Glen Arbor May 22 · Oct 9
- Traverse City May 9 · Oct 15
- Elk Rapids May 13 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lake Leelanau, MI?
The median last spring frost in Lake Leelanau, MI is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lake Leelanau, MI?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Lake Leelanau, MI?
About 185 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lake Leelanau, MI?
Lake Leelanau, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.