Frost dates for 49685 — Traverse City, MI
Last spring frostMay 9median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season159 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Traverse City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Traverse City falls between April 26 and May 23, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Michigan median of May 5.
- Its 159-day growing season is longer than 44% of the 878 Michigan places with a regular frost season (state median 162 days).
- The last frost is 10 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 154 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 23 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Traverse City, MI
Frost dates for 49685 — Traverse City, MI — last frost May 9, first frost Oct 15, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 30 to Jun 13Sow outdoors: May 30 to Jun 13
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 16Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 11 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 23Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 13
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Traverse City, MI
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 11 – May 16 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 30 – Jun 13 | May 30 – Jun 13 | — |
| Basil | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 4 – May 16 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 25 – May 23 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 23 – Jun 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Traverse City Munson, MI weather station, 8 km away (elevation 636 ft (194 m)).
ZIP codes in Traverse City: 49684 49685 49686 49696
Frost dates near Traverse City
- Acme May 12 · Oct 16
- Williamsburg May 12 · Oct 16
- Elk Rapids May 13 · Oct 19
- Old Mission May 13 · Oct 19
- Suttons Bay Apr 30 · Nov 1
- Cedar May 22 · Oct 9
- Mayfield May 12 · Oct 16
- Grawn May 9 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Traverse City, MI?
The median last spring frost in Traverse City, MI is May 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 23, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Traverse City, MI?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Traverse City, MI?
About 159 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Traverse City, MI?
Traverse City, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.