Last frost date in Traverse City, Michigan
May 12
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by April 26; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after May 27.
October 16
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by October 1.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Traverse City Cherry Cptl AP (USW00014850), 1.4 miles from Traverse City, elevation 618 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Apr 26 | May 12 | May 27 |
| First frost in fall | Oct 1 | Oct 16 | Nov 1 |
An early or late year is one in 10: 1 year in 10 the frost comes before the early date, and 1 year in 10 after the late date.
Frost-free days in an average year: 155
Planting calendar for Traverse City
Fall planting
USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about October 20 (Traverse City: October 16).
- Black-eyed peasJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Celery and celeriac plantsJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- CucumbersJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- Eggplant plantsJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- New Zealand spinachJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- OkraJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Peppers plantsJune 1 – July 10 (past for this year)
- SalsifyJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- SoybeansJune 1 – July 5 (past for this year)
- Summer squashJune 1 – July 20 (past for this year)
- Sweet cornJune 1 – July 20 (past for this year)
- Sweet potatoesJune 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- TomatoesJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Winter squashJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)June 15 – July 20 (past for this year)
- CarrotsJune 15 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Florence fennelJune 15 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Lima beansJune 15 – 30 (past for this year)
- PotatoesJune 15 – July 15 (past for this year)
- WatermelonJune 15 – July 20 (past for this year)
- Witloof chicoryJune 15 – July 15 (past for this year)
- BeetsJuly 1 – Aug 5 (past for this year)
- Broccoli plantsJuly 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Brussels sprouts plantsJuly 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- Cabbage plantsJuly 1 – 20 (past for this year)
- Cauliflower plantsJuly 1 – Aug 5 (past for this year)
- Snap beansJuly 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- RutabagaJuly 10 – 20 (past for this year)
- Chinese cabbageJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Collards plantsJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- EndiveJuly 15 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- KaleJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- KohlrabiJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Leaf lettuceJuly 15 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- ParsleyJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- SorrelJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- TurnipsJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- DandelionAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Head lettuce plantsAug 1 – 30 (past for this year)
- Mustard greensAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- RadishesAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- SpinachAug 20 – Sept 10 (past for this year)
- Corn saladSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- Upland cressSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- Rhubarb plantsOct 15 – Dec 1Now
- Asparagus plantsNov 1 – Dec 15Soon
USDA lists chervil and chives, garlic, horseradish, leeks, onion plants, onion seed, onion sets, parsnips, garden peas, shallots as generally spring-planted here.
Spring planting
USDA dates for places whose average last freeze is about May 10 (Traverse City: May 12).
- Cabbage plantsApr 1 – May 15
- Chervil and chivesApr 1 – May 1
- Chinese cabbageApr 1 – May 15
- Corn saladApr 1 – June 1
- DandelionApr 1 – May 1
- Garden peasApr 1 – May 15
- GarlicApr 1 – May 1
- Onion seedApr 1 – May 1
- PotatoesApr 1 – June 1
- RadishesApr 1 – June 1
- Rhubarb plantsApr 1 – May 1
- SpinachApr 1 – June 15
- TurnipsApr 1 – June 1
- Asparagus plantsApr 10 – 30
- KaleApr 10 – May 1
- KohlrabiApr 10 – May 15
- Onion plants plantsApr 10 – May 1
- Onion setsApr 10 – May 1
- ShallotsApr 10 – May 1
- BeetsApr 15 – June 15
- Broccoli plantsApr 15 – June 1
- Brussels sprouts plantsApr 15 – June 1
- Cauliflower plantsApr 15 – May 15
- Collards plantsApr 15 – June 1
- EndiveApr 15 – May 15
- Florence fennelApr 15 – May 15
- Head lettuce plantsApr 15 – May 15
- Horseradish plantsApr 15 – May 15
- Leaf lettuceApr 15 – June 15
- LeeksApr 15 – May 15
- Mustard greensApr 15 – June 1
- ParsleyApr 15 – May 15
- ParsnipsApr 15 – May 15
- SalsifyApr 15 – June 1
- SorrelApr 15 – June 1
- CarrotsApr 20 – June 15
- Celery and celeriac plantsApr 20 – June 15
- Swiss chardApr 20 – June 15
- Upland cressApr 20 – May 20
- RutabagaMay 1 – June 1
- New Zealand spinachMay 10 – June 15
- Snap beansMay 10 – June 30
- Summer squashMay 10 – June 10
- Sweet cornMay 10 – June 1
- TomatoesMay 15 – June 10
- CucumbersMay 20 – June 15
- Eggplant plantsMay 20 – June 15
- OkraMay 20 – June 10
- Peppers plantsMay 20 – June 10
- Lima beansMay 25 – June 15
- SoybeansMay 25 – June 10
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)June 1 – 15
- WatermelonJune 1 – 15
- Witloof chicoryJune 1 – 20
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5 (earliest safe spring and latest safe fall dates), applied to this place's NOAA frost dates. “Plants” means setting out transplants, not sowing seed. How we match the table.
Nearby in Michigan
- Cadillac 36 mi · last frost May 19
- Mount Pleasant 90 mi · last frost Apr 30
- Escanaba 99 mi · last frost May 13
- Midland 103 mi · last frost Apr 29
- Alpena 108 mi · last frost May 5