Marquette, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 8median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season166 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Marquette compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Marquette falls between April 26 and May 23, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 166-day growing season is longer than 62% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 153 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 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 Marquette, MI
Marquette, MI frost dates — last frost May 8, first frost Oct 21, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 15Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 12
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Marquette, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 10 – May 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Basil | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 3 – May 15 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Marquette, MI weather station, 7 km away (elevation 666 ft (203 m)).
Frost dates near Marquette
- National Mine May 22 · Sep 29
- Negaunee May 22 · Sep 29
- Palmer May 22 · Sep 29
- Ishpeming May 26 · Sep 25
- Gwinn May 13 · Oct 2
- Skandia May 13 · Oct 2
- Champion Jun 5 · Sep 10
- Little Lake May 13 · Oct 2
- Big Bay May 22 · Oct 6
- Deerton May 30 · Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Marquette, MI?
The median last spring frost in Marquette, MI is May 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Marquette, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Marquette, MI?
About 166 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Marquette, MI?
Marquette, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.