Frost Dates for Gaylord, MI 49735
Last spring frost June 2 · First fall frost September 17 · 107 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 49735 has about 20,800 people.
Short season: 107 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 19–June 16 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 1–October 2 (31 days).
Frost probability for 49735
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 16 | June 2 | May 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 1 | September 17 | October 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BOYNE FALLS (27.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 107-day season in Gaylord
In Gaylord (107 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 9 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 28 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 65 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 16, the outdoor season is about 15 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 21 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 65 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 16, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 7 | May 5–May 12 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 27 |
| Carrots | — | May 12–May 19 | 149 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 149 available after May 12. | Jul 16 |
| Cucumber | May 12 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 79 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 79 available after Jun 16. | Jun 21 |
| Beans | — | Jun 9–Jun 23 | 93 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 9. | Jun 28 |
| Peas | — | Apr 7–Jun 16 | 170 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 7. | Jul 7 |
| Zucchini | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 79 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 79 available after Jun 16. | Jun 26 |
| Onion | Mar 10 | May 5–May 19 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 7–May 26 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 15 |
| Kale | Mar 24 | May 5–May 19 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 5. | Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after May 5. | Jul 16 |
| Radish | — | Apr 7–Jun 30 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Sep 24. | Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | Apr 7–Jun 30 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Potatoes | — | May 19–May 26 | 128 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 128 available after May 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 17 | 212 | overwinter: Plant Sep 17 to Oct 8; harvest the following summer. | Oct 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 28–Jun 23 | 163 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 5 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 79 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 79 available after Jun 9. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 16 | 72 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Gaylord has 72 after Jun 16. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 21 | May 26–Jun 9 | 121 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after May 26. | Jun 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 7 | May 19–May 19 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 7–Jun 30 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 7 | May 5–May 19 | 156 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 156 available after May 5. | Jun 16 |
| Butternut Squash | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 72 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Gaylord has 72 after Jun 16. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 14 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 65 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 16, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Okra | May 5 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 86 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 86 available after Jun 9. | Jun 26 |
| Basil | Apr 28 | Jun 23–Jun 23 | 72 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 72 available after Jun 23. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 5–May 26 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Parsley | Mar 24 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 107 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 107 available after Jun 9. | Jul 2 |
| Celery | Mar 24 | Jun 9–Jun 23 | 107 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 9, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 24 | May 5–May 19 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Turnip | — | May 5–May 19 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Bok Choy | May 5 | May 26–Jun 2 | 121 | two-plantings: Plant May 26 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 27 |
| Collards | Mar 24 | May 5–May 19 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Cantaloupe | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 65 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 16, the outdoor season is about 20 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 10 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 121 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 121 available after Jun 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 7–Jun 30 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Oregano | Mar 24 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 121 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 121 available after Jun 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 10 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 107 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 107 available after Jun 9. | — |
| Sage | Apr 7 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 121 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after Jun 9. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 24 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 121 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 121 available after Jun 9. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 21 | May 19–Jun 2 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 19 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Cosmos | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 93 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 2. | Jun 21 |
| Lavender | Mar 10 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 128 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 128 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 21 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 93 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 2. | Jul 1 |
| Melons | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 65 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 16, the outdoor season is about 20 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 128 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 128 available after Jun 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 9 | 93 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 2. | Jun 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 9–Jun 23 | 86 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 86 available after Jun 9. | Jun 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 72 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 16, the outdoor season is about 18 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 93 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 2. | Jun 11 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 7 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 72 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 9, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Watermelon | May 19 | Jun 9–Jun 16 | 72 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 9, the outdoor season is about 8 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 19 | Jun 16–Jun 23 | 79 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 79 available after Jun 16. | Jun 26 |
| Zinnias | May 5 | Jun 2–Jun 16 | 93 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 93 available after Jun 2. | Jun 21 |
Month by month in Gaylord
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 10), Lavender (Mar 10), Onion (Mar 10), Rosemary (Mar 10), Celery (Mar 24), Collards (Mar 24), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 7), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 7), Cabbage (Apr 7), Lettuce (Apr 7), Sage (Apr 7), Swiss Chard (Apr 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 7), Beets (Apr 7), Dill (Apr 7), Peas (Apr 7), Radish (Apr 7), Spinach (Apr 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 28). |
| May | Start indoors: Bok Choy (May 5), Corn (May 5), Cosmos (May 5), Nasturtiums (May 5), Okra (May 5), Zinnias (May 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 5), Turnip (May 5), Carrots (May 12), Potatoes (May 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 5), Brussel Sprouts (May 5), Cabbage (May 5), Collards (May 5), Kale (May 5), Lettuce (May 5), +6 more. |
| June | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jun 2), Beans (Jun 9), Pole Beans (Jun 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (Jun 2), Lavender (Jun 2), Marigolds (Jun 2), Mint (Jun 2), Nasturtiums (Jun 2), Zinnias (Jun 2), +23 more. Last frost around June 2. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 16), Pole Beans (Jun 16), Cosmos (Jun 21), Cucumber (Jun 21), Zinnias (Jun 21), +7 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Jul 1), Parsley (Jul 2), Peas (Jul 7), Cabbage (Jul 16), Carrots (Jul 16), Beets (Jul 17), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Aug 5), Arugula (Aug 15), Spinach (Aug 15), Radish (Aug 16). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 17). First frost around September 17. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 8). |
| 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 Gaylord, MI (ZIP 49735)?
The median last spring frost date for Gaylord, MI (ZIP code 49735) is around June 2. 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 19; one in ten it runs past June 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Gaylord, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Gaylord, MI is around September 17. 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 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Gaylord, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Gaylord is about 107 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 Gaylord (107 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 9 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Gaylord, MI?
Gaylord, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (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 Gaylord, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 28 and plant out Jun 16 in Gaylord. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Gaylord?
Two: plant May 5 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 24.
When do I plant garlic in Gaylord?
Sep 17 to Oct 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Gaylord?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 9, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Cheboygan (ZIP 49721) has 136 frost-free days, 29 more than Gaylord (ZIP 49735). See Cheboygan ZIP 49721 frost dates
Nearby and related
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