Port Hope, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 5median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season172 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Port Hope compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Port Hope falls between April 21 and May 21, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 5.
- The median last frost is the same as the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 172-day growing season is longer than 75% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 140 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 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 Port Hope, MI
Port Hope, MI frost dates — last frost May 5, first frost Oct 24, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 12Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 9
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Port Hope, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 7 – May 12 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Basil | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 31 – May 12 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Hope, MI weather station, 4 km away (elevation 600 ft (183 m)).
Frost dates near Port Hope
- Harbor Beach May 2 · Oct 24
- Kinde May 8 · Oct 17
- Filion May 8 · Oct 17
- Ruth May 2 · Oct 24
- Port Austin May 4 · Oct 26
- Bad Axe May 5 · Oct 19
- Minden City May 2 · Oct 24
- Ubly May 5 · Oct 19
- Forestville May 2 · Oct 24
- Palms May 2 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Port Hope, MI?
The median last spring frost in Port Hope, MI is May 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Port Hope, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Port Hope, MI?
About 172 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Port Hope, MI?
Port Hope, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.