South Branch, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 16median date
First fall frostOct 5median date
Growing season142 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How South Branch compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in South Branch falls between May 1 and May 30, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 22 and October 19.
- The median last frost is 11 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 13 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 173 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 1 |
| 50% (median) | May 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 22 |
| 50% (median) | October 5 |
| 90% (late) | October 19 |
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 South Branch, MI
South Branch, MI frost dates — last frost May 16, first frost Oct 5, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Apr 18 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 20
Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in South Branch, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 18 – May 23 | Aug 10 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Basil | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 23 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 21 – Oct 26 |
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 Hale Loud Dam, MI weather station, 12 km away (elevation 728 ft (222 m)).
Frost dates near South Branch
- Long Lake May 21 · Sep 29
- Hale May 23 · Sep 26
- Lupton May 21 · Sep 29
- Glennie May 19 · Sep 29
- Rose City May 21 · Sep 29
- National City May 23 · Sep 26
- Curran May 19 · Sep 29
- Mio May 19 · Oct 2
- Fairview May 19 · Oct 2
- Whittemore May 23 · Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in South Branch, MI?
The median last spring frost in South Branch, MI is May 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in South Branch, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 22.
How long is the growing season in South Branch, MI?
About 142 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is South Branch, MI?
South Branch, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.