Frost Dates for Mancelona, MI 49659
Last spring frost May 30 · First fall frost September 17 · 110 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 49659 has about 7,140 people.
Short season: 110 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 13–June 15 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 3–October 3 (30 days).
Frost probability for 49659
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 15 | May 30 | May 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 3 | September 17 | October 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at KALKASKA (22.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 110-day season in Mancelona
In Mancelona (110 frost-free days, a short season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 8 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 25 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 68 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 18 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 68 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 27 |
| Carrots | — | May 9–May 16 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after May 9. | Jul 16 |
| Cucumber | May 9 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 82 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 82 available after Jun 13. | Jun 21 |
| Beans | — | Jun 6–Jun 20 | 96 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 96 available after Jun 6. | Jun 28 |
| Peas | — | Apr 4–Jun 13 | 173 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 4. | Jul 7 |
| Zucchini | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 82 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 82 available after Jun 13. | Jun 26 |
| Onion | Mar 7 | May 2–May 16 | 145 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 145 available after May 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 4–May 23 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 15 |
| Kale | Mar 21 | May 2–May 16 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 145 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 145 available after May 2. | Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after May 2. | Jul 16 |
| Radish | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Sep 24. | Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Potatoes | — | May 16–May 23 | 131 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 131 available after May 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 17 | 215 | overwinter: Plant Sep 17 to Oct 8; harvest the following summer. | Oct 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 25–Jun 20 | 166 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 2 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 82 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 82 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 13 | 75 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Mancelona has 75 after Jun 13. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 18 | May 23–Jun 6 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 23. | Jun 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 4 | May 16–May 16 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 159 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 159 available after May 2. | Jun 16 |
| Butternut Squash | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 75 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Mancelona has 75 after Jun 13. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 11 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 68 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Okra | May 2 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 89 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 89 available after Jun 6. | Jun 26 |
| Basil | Apr 25 | Jun 20–Jun 20 | 75 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 75 available after Jun 20. | Jun 21 |
| Cilantro | — | May 2–May 23 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Parsley | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 110 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 110 available after Jun 6. | Jul 2 |
| Celery | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 20 | 110 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 21 | May 2–May 16 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Turnip | — | May 2–May 16 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Bok Choy | May 2 | May 23–May 30 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 23 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 27 |
| Collards | Mar 21 | May 2–May 16 | 159 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Cantaloupe | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 68 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 7 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 124 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 124 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Oregano | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 7 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 110 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 110 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Sage | Apr 4 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 124 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 124 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 18 | May 16–May 30 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Cosmos | May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 | 96 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 96 available after May 30. | Jun 21 |
| Lavender | Mar 7 | May 30–Jun 13 | 131 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 131 available after May 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 18 | May 30–Jun 6 | 96 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 96 available after May 30. | Jul 1 |
| Melons | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 68 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 30–Jun 13 | 131 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 131 available after May 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 2 | May 30–Jun 6 | 96 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 96 available after May 30. | Jun 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 6–Jun 20 | 89 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 89 available after Jun 6. | Jun 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 75 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 15 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 30–Jun 13 | 96 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 96 available after May 30. | Jun 11 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 4 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 75 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 75 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Watermelon | May 16 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 75 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 82 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 82 available after Jun 13. | Jun 26 |
| Zinnias | May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 | 96 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 96 available after May 30. | Jun 21 |
Month by month in Mancelona
| 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 7), Lavender (Mar 7), Onion (Mar 7), Rosemary (Mar 7), Celery (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), Sage (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 4), Beets (Apr 4), Dill (Apr 4), Peas (Apr 4), Radish (Apr 4), Spinach (Apr 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 25). |
| May | Start indoors: Bok Choy (May 2), Corn (May 2), Cosmos (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Okra (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 2), Turnip (May 2), Carrots (May 9), Potatoes (May 16), Sunflowers (May 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 2), Brussel Sprouts (May 2), Cabbage (May 2), Collards (May 2), Kale (May 2), Lettuce (May 2), +12 more. Last frost around May 30. |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 6), Pole Beans (Jun 6). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 6), Chives (Jun 6), Corn (Jun 6), Okra (Jun 6), Oregano (Jun 6), Parsley (Jun 6), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 16), Pole Beans (Jun 16), Basil (Jun 21), Cosmos (Jun 21), Cucumber (Jun 21), +8 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 Mancelona, MI (ZIP 49659)?
The median last spring frost date for Mancelona, MI (ZIP code 49659) is around May 30. 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 13; one in ten it runs past June 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Mancelona, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Mancelona, 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 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Mancelona, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Mancelona is about 110 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 Mancelona (110 frost-free days, a short season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 8 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Mancelona, MI?
Mancelona, 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 Mancelona, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 25 and plant out Jun 13 in Mancelona. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Mancelona?
Two: plant May 2 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 24.
When do I plant garlic in Mancelona?
Sep 17 to Oct 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Mancelona?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Traverse City (ZIP 49686) has 118 frost-free days, 8 more than Mancelona (ZIP 49659). See Traverse City ZIP 49686 frost dates
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