Frost Dates for Roscommon, MI 48653
Last spring frost June 4 · First fall frost September 10 · 98 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 48653 has about 9,720 people.
Short season: 98 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 17–June 20 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans August 22–September 29 (38 days).
Frost probability for 48653
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 20 | June 4 | May 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 22 | September 10 | September 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GRAYLING (19.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 98-day season in Roscommon
In Roscommon (98 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 14 get two plantings, 5 need an indoor start, 7 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 30 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 56 | no-fit: Needs 80 days; Roscommon has 56 after Jun 18. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 23 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 56 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 18, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 20 |
| Carrots | — | May 14–May 21 | 140 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after May 14. | Jul 9 |
| Cucumber | May 14 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 70 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 70 available after Jun 18. | — |
| Beans | — | Jun 11–Jun 25 | 84 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 11. | Jun 21 |
| Peas | — | Apr 9–Jun 18 | 161 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 9. | Jun 30 |
| Zucchini | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 70 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 70 available after Jun 18. | Jun 19 |
| Onion | Mar 12 | May 7–May 21 | 133 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 9–May 28 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 8 |
| Kale | Mar 26 | May 7–May 21 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 7. | Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 147 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 147 available after May 7. | Jul 9 |
| Radish | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Sep 17. | Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Potatoes | — | May 21–May 28 | 119 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 10 | 203 | overwinter: Plant Sep 10 to Oct 1; harvest the following summer. | Oct 1 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 30–Jun 25 | 154 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 30; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 7 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 70 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 18 | 63 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Roscommon has 63 after Jun 18. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 23 | May 28–Jun 11 | 112 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after May 28. | Jun 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 9 | May 21–May 21 | 119 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 119 available after May 21. | Jul 10 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 8 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 147 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 147 available after May 7. | Jun 9 |
| Butternut Squash | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 63 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Roscommon has 63 after Jun 18. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 16 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 56 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 18, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Okra | May 7 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 77 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 77 available after Jun 11. | Jun 19 |
| Basil | Apr 30 | Jun 25–Jun 25 | 63 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 63 available after Jun 25. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 7–May 28 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 15 |
| Parsley | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 98 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 98 available after Jun 11. | Jun 25 |
| Celery | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 25 | 98 | no-fit: Needs 120 days; Roscommon has 98 after Jun 11. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 26 | May 7–May 21 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Turnip | — | May 7–May 21 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Bok Choy | May 7 | May 28–Jun 4 | 112 | two-plantings: Plant May 28 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 20 |
| Collards | Mar 26 | May 7–May 21 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Cantaloupe | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 56 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Roscommon has 56 after Jun 18. | — |
| Chives | Mar 12 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 112 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 112 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 9–Jul 2 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Oregano | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 112 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 112 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 12 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 98 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 98 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Sage | Apr 9 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 112 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 26 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 112 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 112 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 23 | May 21–Jun 4 | 119 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 15 |
| Cosmos | May 7 | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 84 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 4. | Jun 14 |
| Lavender | Mar 12 | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 119 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 119 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 23 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 84 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 4. | Jun 24 |
| Melons | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 56 | no-fit: Needs 85 days; Roscommon has 56 after Jun 18. | — |
| Mint | — | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 119 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 119 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 7 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 84 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 4. | Jun 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 11–Jun 25 | 77 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 77 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 63 | no-fit: Needs 90 days; Roscommon has 63 after Jun 18. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 84 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Tomatillos | Apr 9 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 63 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Watermelon | May 21 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 63 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 21 | Jun 18–Jun 25 | 70 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 70 available after Jun 18. | Jun 19 |
| Zinnias | May 7 | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 84 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 84 available after Jun 4. | Jun 14 |
Month by month in Roscommon
| 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 12), Lavender (Mar 12), Onion (Mar 12), Rosemary (Mar 12), Celery (Mar 26), Collards (Mar 26), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 9), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 9), Cabbage (Apr 9), Lettuce (Apr 9), Sage (Apr 9), Swiss Chard (Apr 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 9), Beets (Apr 9), Dill (Apr 9), Peas (Apr 9), Radish (Apr 9), Spinach (Apr 9), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 30). |
| May | Start indoors: Bok Choy (May 7), Corn (May 7), Cosmos (May 7), Nasturtiums (May 7), Okra (May 7), Zinnias (May 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 7), Turnip (May 7), Carrots (May 14), Potatoes (May 21). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 7), Brussel Sprouts (May 7), Cabbage (May 7), Collards (May 7), Kale (May 7), Lettuce (May 7), +6 more. |
| June | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Jun 4), Beans (Jun 11), Pole Beans (Jun 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (Jun 4), Lavender (Jun 4), Marigolds (Jun 4), Mint (Jun 4), Nasturtiums (Jun 4), Zinnias (Jun 4), +23 more. Last frost around June 4. Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jun 9), Cosmos (Jun 14), Zinnias (Jun 14), Broccoli (Jun 15), Nasturtiums (Jun 19), Okra (Jun 19), +7 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Jul 9), Carrots (Jul 9), Beets (Jul 10), Dill (Jul 10), Swiss Chard (Jul 10), Calendula (Jul 15), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Aug 8), Spinach (Aug 8), Radish (Aug 9). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 10). First frost around September 10. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 1). |
| 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 Roscommon, MI (ZIP 48653)?
The median last spring frost date for Roscommon, MI (ZIP code 48653) is around June 4. 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 17; one in ten it runs past June 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Roscommon, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Roscommon, MI is around September 10. 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 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Roscommon, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Roscommon is about 98 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 Roscommon (98 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 14 get two plantings, 5 need an indoor start, 7 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Roscommon, MI?
Roscommon, 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 Roscommon, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 30 and plant out Jun 18 in Roscommon. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Roscommon?
Two: plant May 7 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 17.
When do I plant garlic in Roscommon?
Sep 10 to Oct 1; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Roscommon?
Not reliably outdoors. Needs 120 days; Roscommon has 98 after Jun 11.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
West Branch (ZIP 48661) has 118 frost-free days, 20 more than Roscommon (ZIP 48653). See West Branch ZIP 48661 frost dates
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