Prescott, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 15median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season142 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Prescott compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Prescott falls between April 29 and May 29, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 17.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 142-day growing season is longer than 26% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 176 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 29 |
| 50% (median) | May 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 90% (late) | October 17 |
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 Prescott, MI
Prescott, MI frost dates — last frost May 15, first frost Oct 4, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19Sow outdoors: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Apr 17 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 19
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Prescott, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 17 – May 22 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — |
| Basil | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 22 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 24 – May 22 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
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 W Branch 3se, MI weather station, 15 km away (elevation 886 ft (270 m)).
Frost dates near Prescott
- Alger May 15 · Oct 4
- Sterling May 5 · Oct 10
- Twining May 5 · Oct 10
- Whittemore May 23 · Sep 26
- West Branch May 15 · Oct 4
- Lupton May 21 · Sep 29
- Omer May 5 · Oct 10
- Hale May 23 · Sep 26
- Rose City May 21 · Sep 29
- Long Lake May 21 · Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Prescott, MI?
The median last spring frost in Prescott, MI is May 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Prescott, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Prescott, MI?
About 142 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Prescott, MI?
Prescott, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.