Ralph, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 13median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season142 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Ralph compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ralph falls between April 28 and May 29, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 15 and October 16.
- The median last frost is 8 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 5 days later than the zone 4b median of May 8. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 178 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 28 |
| 50% (median) | May 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 15 |
| 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 Ralph, MI
Ralph, MI frost dates — last frost May 13, first frost Oct 2, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: Jun 3 to Jun 17Sow outdoors: Jun 3 to Jun 17
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Apr 15 to Apr 22Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 10Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 17
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ralph, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 15 – May 20 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | Jun 3 – Jun 17 | — |
| Basil | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 8 – May 20 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 29 – May 27 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 27 – Jun 17 | — | — |
| 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 Ki Sawyer Wwtp, MI weather station, 36 km away (elevation 1,115 ft (340 m)).
Frost dates near Ralph
- Felch May 25 · Sep 24
- Foster City May 17 · Oct 1
- Arnold May 13 · Oct 2
- Sagola May 24 · Sep 25
- Channing May 24 · Sep 25
- Gwinn May 13 · Oct 2
- Republic frost any month
- Ishpeming May 26 · Sep 25
- Little Lake May 13 · Oct 2
- Palmer May 22 · Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ralph, MI?
The median last spring frost in Ralph, MI is May 13. 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 Ralph, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 15.
How long is the growing season in Ralph, MI?
About 142 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ralph, MI?
Ralph, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.