Palmer, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 22median date
First fall frostSep 29median date
Growing season130 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Palmer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Palmer falls between May 6 and June 4, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 11 and October 12.
- The median last frost is 17 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 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 189 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 6 |
| 50% (median) | May 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 11 |
| 50% (median) | September 29 |
| 90% (late) | October 12 |
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 Palmer, MI
Palmer, MI frost dates — last frost May 22, first frost Sep 29, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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 4 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
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 7 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
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 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Jul 28
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Palmer, 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 4 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| 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 7 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| 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 7 – Jul 21 |
| Beets | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 15 – Oct 20 |
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, 10 km away (elevation 1,411 ft (430 m)).
Frost dates near Palmer
- Negaunee May 22 · Sep 29
- Ishpeming May 26 · Sep 25
- Gwinn May 13 · Oct 2
- Marquette May 8 · Oct 21
- National Mine May 22 · Sep 29
- Champion Jun 5 · Sep 10
- Little Lake May 13 · Oct 2
- Skandia May 13 · Oct 2
- Republic frost any month
- Ralph May 13 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Palmer, MI?
The median last spring frost in Palmer, MI is May 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Palmer, MI?
The median first fall frost is September 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 11.
How long is the growing season in Palmer, MI?
About 130 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Palmer, MI?
Palmer, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.