Frost Dates for Houghton, MI 49931
Last spring frost June 13 · First fall frost September 6 · 85 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 49931 has about 10,500 people.
Short season: 85 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 16–July 1 (46 days). Fall frost risk spans August 17–October 3 (47 days).
Frost probability for 49931
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | July 1 | June 13 | May 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 17 | September 6 | October 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HERMAN (55.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 85-day season in Houghton
In Houghton (85 frost-free days, a short season), 28 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 12 get two plantings, 3 need an indoor start, 1 need a faster variety, 11 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May 9 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Houghton has 43 after Jun 27. | — |
| Pepper | May 2 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Houghton has 43 after Jun 27. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 120 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 13. | Jul 16 |
| Carrots | — | May 23–May 30 | 127 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 127 available after May 23. | Jul 5 |
| Cucumber | May 23 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 57 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 27, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 20–Jul 4 | 71 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 20. | — |
| Peas | — | Apr 18–Jun 27 | 148 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 18. | Jun 26 |
| Zucchini | May 30 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 57 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 57 available after Jun 27. | — |
| Onion | Mar 21 | May 16–May 30 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 18–Jun 6 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Sep 27. | Aug 4 |
| Kale | Apr 4 | May 16–May 30 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Apr 18 | May 16–May 30 | 120 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 16. | Jun 11 |
| Cabbage | Apr 18 | May 16–May 30 | 134 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 134 available after May 16. | Jul 5 |
| Radish | — | Apr 18–Jul 11 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Sep 13. | Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | Apr 18–Jul 11 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 13. | Jul 6 |
| Potatoes | — | May 30–Jun 6 | 106 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 106 available after May 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 6 | 190 | overwinter: Plant Sep 6 to Sep 27; harvest the following summer. | Sep 27 |
| Strawberry | — | May 9–Jul 4 | 141 | perennial: A perennial: plant May 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 16 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 57 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 20, the outdoor season is about 18 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 30 | Jun 27–Jun 27 | 50 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Houghton has 50 after Jun 27. | — |
| Cauliflower | May 2 | Jun 6–Jun 20 | 99 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 6. | Jun 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 18 | May 30–May 30 | 106 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 106 available after May 30. | Jul 6 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 18–Jul 11 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Sep 27. | Aug 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 18 | May 16–May 30 | 134 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 134 available after May 16. | Jun 5 |
| Butternut Squash | May 30 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 50 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Houghton has 50 after Jun 27. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 25 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 70 days; Houghton has 43 after Jun 27. | — |
| Okra | May 16 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 64 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 64 available after Jun 20. | — |
| Basil | May 9 | Jul 4–Jul 4 | 50 | head-start: Even planted out Jul 4, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 16–Jun 6 | 120 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 13. | Jul 11 |
| Parsley | Apr 4 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 85 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 20. | Jun 21 |
| Celery | Apr 4 | Jun 20–Jul 4 | 85 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Houghton has 85 after Jun 20. | — |
| Scallions | Apr 4 | May 16–May 30 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Turnip | — | May 16–May 30 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | May 2–May 16 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Bok Choy | May 16 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 99 | fits: 45 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 6. | Jul 16 |
| Collards | Apr 4 | May 16–May 30 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Cantaloupe | May 30 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Houghton has 43 after Jun 27. | — |
| Chives | Mar 21 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 99 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 18–Jul 11 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 13. | Jul 6 |
| Oregano | Apr 4 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 99 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 21 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 85 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 85 available after Jun 20. | — |
| Sage | Apr 18 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 99 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 20. | — |
| Thyme | Apr 4 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 99 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 99 available after Jun 20. | — |
| Calendula | May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 | 106 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 106 available after May 30. | Jul 11 |
| Cosmos | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 27 | 71 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 13. | — |
| Lavender | Mar 21 | Jun 13–Jun 27 | 106 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 106 available after Jun 13. | — |
| Marigolds | May 2 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 71 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 13. | Jun 20 |
| Melons | May 30 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 43 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Houghton has 43 after Jun 27. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 13–Jun 27 | 106 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 106 available after Jun 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 71 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 13. | Jun 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 20–Jul 4 | 64 | tight: Direct-sow only; pick a variety under 64 days. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 30 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 50 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Houghton has 50 after Jun 27. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 13–Jun 27 | 71 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 13. | — |
| Tomatillos | Apr 18 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 50 | no-fit: Needs 75 days; Houghton has 50 after Jun 20. | — |
| Watermelon | May 30 | Jun 20–Jun 27 | 50 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Houghton has 50 after Jun 20. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 30 | Jun 27–Jul 4 | 57 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 57 available after Jun 27. | — |
| Zinnias | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 27 | 71 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 71 available after Jun 13. | — |
Month by month in Houghton
| 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 21), Lavender (Mar 21), Onion (Mar 21), Rosemary (Mar 21). |
| April | Start indoors: Celery (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Oregano (Apr 4), Parsley (Apr 4), Scallions (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 18), Beets (Apr 18), Dill (Apr 18), Peas (Apr 18), Radish (Apr 18), Spinach (Apr 18). |
| May | Start indoors: Calendula (May 2), Cauliflower (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Pepper (May 2), Basil (May 9), Tomato (May 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (May 2), Cilantro (May 16), Turnip (May 16), Carrots (May 23), Potatoes (May 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 16), Brussel Sprouts (May 16), Cabbage (May 16), Collards (May 16), Kale (May 16), Lettuce (May 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (May 9). |
| June | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jun 13), Beans (Jun 20), Pole Beans (Jun 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Jun 6), Cauliflower (Jun 6), Cosmos (Jun 13), Lavender (Jun 13), Marigolds (Jun 13), Mint (Jun 13), +24 more. Last frost around June 13. Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jun 5), Broccoli (Jun 11), Nasturtiums (Jun 15), Cauliflower (Jun 16), Marigolds (Jun 20), Parsley (Jun 21), +1 more. |
| July | Transplant from: Basil (Jul 4). Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Jul 5), Carrots (Jul 5), Beets (Jul 6), Dill (Jul 6), Swiss Chard (Jul 6), Calendula (Jul 11), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Aug 4), Spinach (Aug 4), Radish (Aug 5). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 6). First frost around September 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Sep 27). |
| October | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Houghton, MI (ZIP 49931)?
The median last spring frost date for Houghton, MI (ZIP code 49931) is around June 13. 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 16; one in ten it runs past July 1.
What is the first fall frost date in Houghton, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Houghton, MI is around September 6. 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 August 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Houghton, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Houghton is about 85 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 Houghton (85 frost-free days, a short season), 28 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 12 get two plantings, 3 need an indoor start, 1 need a faster variety, 11 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Houghton, MI?
Houghton, 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 Houghton, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors May 9 and plant out Jun 27 in Houghton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Houghton?
Two: plant May 16 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 13.
When do I plant garlic in Houghton?
Sep 6 to Sep 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Houghton?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Houghton has 85 after Jun 20.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Ishpeming (ZIP 49849) has 114 frost-free days, 29 more than Houghton (ZIP 49931). See Ishpeming ZIP 49849 frost dates
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