Onaway, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 22median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season133 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Onaway compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Onaway falls between May 3 and June 2, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 16 and October 16.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 133-day growing season is longer than 14% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 19 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 167 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 3 |
| 50% (median) | May 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 16 |
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 Onaway, MI
Onaway, MI frost dates — last frost May 22, first frost Oct 2, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Onaway, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | Apr 24 – May 29 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — |
| Basil | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
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 Onaway 4n, MI weather station, 8 km away (elevation 745 ft (227 m)).
Frost dates near Onaway
- Tower May 22 · Oct 2
- Millersburg May 22 · Oct 2
- Afton May 22 · Oct 2
- Hawks May 10 · Oct 14
- Rogers City May 10 · Oct 14
- Wolverine Jun 7 · Sep 14
- Indian River May 31 · Sep 18
- Topinabee May 21 · Sep 27
- Mullett Lake May 11 · Oct 11
- Hillman May 22 · Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Onaway, MI?
The median last spring frost in Onaway, MI is May 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Onaway, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 16.
How long is the growing season in Onaway, MI?
About 133 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Onaway, MI?
Onaway, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.