Whittemore, MI frost dates
Last spring frostMay 23median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season126 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Whittemore compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Whittemore falls between May 5 and June 7, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 8.
- The median last frost is 18 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 126-day growing season is longer than 6% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 20 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 183 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 5 |
| 50% (median) | May 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 8 |
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 Whittemore, MI
Whittemore, MI frost dates — last frost May 23, first frost Sep 26, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27Sow outdoors: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Apr 25 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 20Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 27
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Whittemore, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 2 – May 16 | Apr 25 – May 30 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 9 – May 23 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 2 – May 16 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 9 – May 23 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — |
| Basil | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 30 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 25 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | May 30 – Jun 13 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 25 – May 2 | — | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 25 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | May 2 – May 30 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 30 – Jun 20 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 6 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| 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 Hale 5ssw #2, MI weather station, 9 km away (elevation 817 ft (249 m)).
Frost dates near Whittemore
- Twining May 5 · Oct 10
- National City May 23 · Sep 26
- Turner May 5 · Oct 10
- Hale May 23 · Sep 26
- Prescott May 15 · Oct 4
- Omer May 5 · Oct 10
- Long Lake May 21 · Sep 29
- Tawas City May 8 · Oct 5
- Lupton May 21 · Sep 29
- Au Gres May 5 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Whittemore, MI?
The median last spring frost in Whittemore, MI is May 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Whittemore, MI?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Whittemore, MI?
About 126 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Whittemore, MI?
Whittemore, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.