Vanderbilt, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 25median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season124 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Vanderbilt compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Vanderbilt falls between May 8 and June 8, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 13 and October 9.
- The median last frost is 20 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 124-day growing season is longer than 5% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 22 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) | May 8 |
| 50% (median) | May 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 13 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 9 |
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 Vanderbilt, MI
Vanderbilt, MI frost dates — last frost May 25, first frost Sep 26, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 15 to Jun 29Sow outdoors: Jun 15 to Jun 29
Start indoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Transplant outside: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 15Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Start indoors: Apr 27 to May 4Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 22
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: May 4 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 8Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 22Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Jun 1 to Jun 15
Transplant outside: Jun 8 to Jun 29
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Vanderbilt, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 4 – May 18 | Apr 27 – Jun 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 11 – May 25 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 4 – May 18 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | May 11 – May 25 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | Jun 15 – Jun 29 | — |
| Basil | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 20 – Jun 1 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 27 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 15 | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 27 – May 4 | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 27 – May 4 | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 27 – May 4 | Jun 8 – Jun 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | May 4 – Jun 1 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 11 – Jun 8 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 1 – Jun 22 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 1 – Jun 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 8 – Jun 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
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 Gaylord, MI weather station, 14 km away (elevation 1,319 ft (402 m)).
Frost dates near Vanderbilt
- Gaylord May 22 · Sep 30
- Wolverine Jun 7 · Sep 14
- Elmira May 25 · Sep 26
- Boyne Falls May 23 · Oct 3
- Walloon Lake May 16 · Oct 9
- Johannesburg May 11 · Oct 6
- Afton May 22 · Oct 2
- Boyne City May 23 · Oct 3
- Petoskey May 16 · Oct 9
- Indian River May 31 · Sep 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Vanderbilt, MI?
The median last spring frost in Vanderbilt, MI is May 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Vanderbilt, MI?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 13.
How long is the growing season in Vanderbilt, MI?
About 124 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Vanderbilt, MI?
Vanderbilt, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.