Frost Dates for Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783
Last spring frost May 28 · First fall frost October 5 · 130 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 49783 has about 18,700 people.
Moderate season: 130 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 11–June 14 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 19 (28 days).
Frost probability for 49783
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 14 | May 28 | May 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 5 | October 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SAULT STE MARIE SANDERSON FLD (9.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 130-day season in Sault Sainte Marie
In Sault Sainte Marie (130 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 23 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 88 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 16 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 88 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Carrots | — | May 7–May 14 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after May 7. | Aug 3 |
| Cucumber | May 7 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 102 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 11. | Jul 9 |
| Beans | — | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 116 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 116 available after Jun 4. | Jul 16 |
| Peas | — | Apr 2–Jun 11 | 193 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 2. | Jul 25 |
| Zucchini | May 14 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 102 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 11. | Jul 14 |
| Onion | Mar 5 | Apr 30–May 14 | 165 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 2–May 21 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Kale | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 14 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 30. | Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 30. | Aug 3 |
| Radish | — | Apr 2–Jun 25 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12. | Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | Apr 2–Jun 25 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | May 14–May 21 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 5 | 235 | overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer. | Oct 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 23–Jun 18 | 186 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 30 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 102 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 4. | Jun 17 |
| Pumpkin | May 14 | Jun 11–Jun 11 | 95 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 16 | May 21–Jun 4 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 21. | Jul 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 2 | May 14–May 14 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 2–Jun 25 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 179 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 30. | Jul 4 |
| Butternut Squash | May 14 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 95 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 9 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 88 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 11. | Jun 15 |
| Okra | Apr 30 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 109 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 109 available after Jun 4. | Jul 14 |
| Basil | Apr 23 | Jun 18–Jun 18 | 95 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 18. | Jul 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 30–May 21 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Mar 19 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 130 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 130 available after Jun 4. | Jul 20 |
| Celery | Mar 19 | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 130 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 130 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 14 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 30 | May 21–May 28 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 21 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Collards | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 14 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cantaloupe | May 14 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 88 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Chives | Mar 5 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 144 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 144 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 2–Jun 25 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Oregano | Mar 19 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 5 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 130 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 130 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Sage | Apr 2 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 19 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 144 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 144 available after Jun 4. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 16 | May 14–May 28 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Cosmos | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 11 | 116 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 116 available after May 28. | Jul 9 |
| Lavender | Mar 5 | May 28–Jun 11 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 16 | May 28–Jun 4 | 116 | two-plantings: Plant May 28 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 19 |
| Melons | May 14 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 88 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 88 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Mint | — | May 28–Jun 11 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 28. | Jul 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 4–Jun 18 | 109 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 109 available after Jun 4. | Jul 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 14 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 95 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 11. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 28–Jun 11 | 116 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 116 available after May 28. | Jun 29 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 2 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 95 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 4. | Jun 10 |
| Watermelon | May 14 | Jun 4–Jun 11 | 95 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 95 available after Jun 4. | Jun 5 |
| Yellow Squash | May 14 | Jun 11–Jun 18 | 102 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 11. | Jul 14 |
| Zinnias | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 11 | 116 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 116 available after May 28. | Jul 9 |
Month by month in Sault Sainte Marie
| 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 5), Lavender (Mar 5), Onion (Mar 5), Rosemary (Mar 5), Celery (Mar 19), Collards (Mar 19), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 2), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 2), Cabbage (Apr 2), Lettuce (Apr 2), Sage (Apr 2), Swiss Chard (Apr 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 2), Beets (Apr 2), Dill (Apr 2), Peas (Apr 2), Radish (Apr 2), Spinach (Apr 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 30), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 30), Cabbage (Apr 30), Collards (Apr 30), Kale (Apr 30), Lettuce (Apr 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 23). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 7), Butternut Squash (May 14), Cantaloupe (May 14), Melons (May 14), Pumpkin (May 14), Spaghetti Squash (May 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 7), Potatoes (May 14), Sunflowers (May 28). Transplant from: Calendula (May 14), Swiss Chard (May 14), Bok Choy (May 21), Cauliflower (May 21), Cosmos (May 28), Lavender (May 28), +4 more. Last frost around May 28. |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 4), Pole Beans (Jun 4). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 4), Chives (Jun 4), Corn (Jun 4), Okra (Jun 4), Oregano (Jun 4), Parsley (Jun 4), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (Jun 5), Tomatillos (Jun 10), Eggplant (Jun 15), Corn (Jun 17), Sunflowers (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 4), Pole Beans (Jul 4), Basil (Jul 9), Cosmos (Jul 9), Cucumber (Jul 9), Zinnias (Jul 9), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 3), Carrots (Aug 3), Beets (Aug 4), Dill (Aug 4), Swiss Chard (Aug 4), Calendula (Aug 9), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 2), Spinach (Sep 2), Radish (Sep 3). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 5). First frost around October 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 26). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Sault Sainte Marie, MI (ZIP 49783)?
The median last spring frost date for Sault Sainte Marie, MI (ZIP code 49783) is around May 28. 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 11; one in ten it runs past June 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Sault Sainte Marie, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Sault Sainte Marie, MI is around October 5. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Sault Sainte Marie, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Sault Sainte Marie is about 130 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 Sault Sainte Marie (130 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 Sault Sainte Marie, MI?
Sault Sainte Marie, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 4b (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 Sault Sainte Marie, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 23 and plant out Jun 11 in Sault Sainte Marie. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Sault Sainte Marie?
Two: plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.
When do I plant garlic in Sault Sainte Marie?
Oct 5 to Oct 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Sault Sainte Marie?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 11, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Alpena (ZIP 49707) has 145 frost-free days, 15 more than Sault Sainte Marie (ZIP 49783). See Alpena ZIP 49707 frost dates
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