Frost Dates for Big Rapids, MI 49307
Last spring frost May 19 · First fall frost September 25 · 129 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 49307 has about 18,400 people.
Moderate season: 129 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 1–June 6 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans September 13–October 7 (24 days).
Frost probability for 49307
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 6 | May 19 | May 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 13 | September 25 | October 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BIG RAPIDS WTP (1.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 129-day season in Big Rapids
In Big Rapids (129 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 14 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 87 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 7 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 87 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 4 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 28–May 5 | 171 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 28. | Jul 24 |
| Cucumber | Apr 28 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 101 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 101 available after Jun 2. | Jun 29 |
| Beans | — | May 26–Jun 9 | 115 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 115 available after May 26. | Jul 6 |
| Peas | — | Mar 24–Jun 2 | 192 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 192 available after Mar 24. | Jul 15 |
| Zucchini | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 101 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 101 available after Jun 2. | Jul 4 |
| Onion | Feb 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 164 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 24–May 12 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 23 |
| Kale | Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 164 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 21. | Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 21. | Jul 24 |
| Radish | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Potatoes | — | May 5–May 12 | 150 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 150 available after May 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 25 | 234 | overwinter: Plant Sep 25 to Oct 16; harvest the following summer. | Oct 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 14–Jun 9 | 185 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 21 | May 26–Jun 2 | 101 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 101 available after May 26. | Jun 7 |
| Pumpkin | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 2 | 94 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 7 | May 12–May 26 | 143 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after May 12. | Jul 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 24 | May 5–May 5 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 24 | Apr 21–May 5 | 178 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 21. | Jun 24 |
| Butternut Squash | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 94 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 31 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 87 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 2. | Jun 5 |
| Okra | Apr 21 | May 26–Jun 2 | 108 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 108 available after May 26. | Jul 4 |
| Basil | Apr 14 | Jun 9–Jun 9 | 94 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 94 available after Jun 9. | Jun 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 21–May 12 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Parsley | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 2 | 129 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 129 available after May 26. | Jul 10 |
| Celery | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 9 | 129 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 129 available after May 26. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 21 | May 12–May 19 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 4 |
| Collards | Mar 10 | Apr 21–May 5 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cantaloupe | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 87 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Chives | Feb 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 143 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 143 available after May 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 24–Jun 16 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Oregano | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 2 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after May 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 129 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 129 available after May 26. | — |
| Sage | Mar 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 143 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after May 26. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 10 | May 26–Jun 2 | 143 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 143 available after May 26. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Cosmos | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 115 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 115 available after May 19. | Jun 29 |
| Lavender | Feb 24 | May 19–Jun 2 | 150 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 150 available after May 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 7 | May 19–May 26 | 115 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 11. | Jul 9 |
| Melons | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 87 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Mint | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 150 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 150 available after May 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 21 | May 19–May 26 | 115 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 115 available after May 19. | Jul 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 26–Jun 9 | 108 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 108 available after May 26. | Jun 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 94 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 94 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 19–Jun 2 | 115 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 115 available after May 19. | Jun 19 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 24 | May 26–Jun 2 | 94 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 94 available after May 26. | May 31 |
| Watermelon | May 5 | May 26–Jun 2 | 94 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 94 available after May 26. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 101 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 101 available after Jun 2. | Jul 4 |
| Zinnias | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 115 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 115 available after May 19. | Jun 29 |
Month by month in Big Rapids
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 24), Lavender (Feb 24), Onion (Feb 24), Rosemary (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 10), Collards (Mar 10), Kale (Mar 10), Oregano (Mar 10), Parsley (Mar 10), Scallions (Mar 10), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 24), Beets (Mar 24), Dill (Mar 24), Peas (Mar 24), Radish (Mar 24), Spinach (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 7), Cauliflower (Apr 7), Marigolds (Apr 7), Pepper (Apr 7), Basil (Apr 14), Tomato (Apr 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 7), Cilantro (Apr 21), Turnip (Apr 21), Carrots (Apr 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 21), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 21), Cabbage (Apr 21), Collards (Apr 21), Kale (Apr 21), Lettuce (Apr 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 14). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 5), Cantaloupe (May 5), Melons (May 5), Pumpkin (May 5), Spaghetti Squash (May 5), Watermelon (May 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 5), Sunflowers (May 19), Beans (May 26), Pole Beans (May 26). Transplant from: Calendula (May 5), Swiss Chard (May 5), Bok Choy (May 12), Cauliflower (May 12), Cosmos (May 19), Lavender (May 19), +15 more. Last frost around May 19. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (May 31). |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Cucumber (Jun 2), Eggplant (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Pepper (Jun 2), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 5), Corn (Jun 7), Sunflowers (Jun 19), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 24), Pole Beans (Jun 24), Basil (Jun 29), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 4), Okra (Jul 4), Yellow Squash (Jul 4), Zucchini (Jul 4), Cauliflower (Jul 5), Beans (Jul 6), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 3), Scallions (Aug 3), Bok Choy (Aug 4), Lettuce (Aug 4), Kale (Aug 8), Kohlrabi (Aug 8), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 25). First frost around September 25. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 16). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Big Rapids, MI (ZIP 49307)?
The median last spring frost date for Big Rapids, MI (ZIP code 49307) is around May 19. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before May 1; one in ten it runs past June 6.
What is the first fall frost date in Big Rapids, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Big Rapids, MI is around September 25. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Big Rapids, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Big Rapids is about 129 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Big Rapids (129 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Big Rapids, MI?
Big Rapids, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Big Rapids, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 14 and plant out Jun 2 in Big Rapids. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Big Rapids?
Two: plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2.
When do I plant garlic in Big Rapids?
Sep 25 to Oct 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Big Rapids?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 2, the outdoor season is about 6 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Cedar Springs (ZIP 49319) has 137 frost-free days, 8 more than Big Rapids (ZIP 49307). See Cedar Springs ZIP 49319 frost dates
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