Port Austin, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season175 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Port Austin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Port Austin falls between April 20 and May 19, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 8.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 175-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 145 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 8 |
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 Port Austin, MI
Port Austin, MI frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 26, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Port Austin, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
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 Port Austin Wwtp, MI weather station, 4 km away (elevation 604 ft (184 m)).
Frost dates near Port Austin
- Kinde May 8 · Oct 17
- Filion May 8 · Oct 17
- Port Hope May 5 · Oct 24
- Caseville May 8 · Oct 17
- Bad Axe May 5 · Oct 19
- Elkton May 8 · Oct 17
- Pigeon May 8 · Oct 17
- Harbor Beach May 2 · Oct 24
- Bay Port May 8 · Oct 17
- Ubly May 5 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Port Austin, MI?
The median last spring frost in Port Austin, MI is May 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Port Austin, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Port Austin, MI?
About 175 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Port Austin, MI?
Port Austin, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.