Frost Dates for South Haven, MI 49090
Last spring frost May 13 · First fall frost October 9 · 149 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 49090 has about 13,300 people.
Moderate season: 149 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 25–May 30 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans September 23–October 27 (34 days).
Frost probability for 49090
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 30 | May 13 | April 25 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 23 | October 9 | October 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BLOOMINGDALE (21.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 149-day season in South Haven
In South Haven (149 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 3 | 107 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 107 available after May 27. | Jun 9 |
| Pepper | Apr 1 | May 27–Jun 3 | 107 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 107 available after May 27. | Jun 14 |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 191 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 22. | Aug 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 22 | May 27–Jun 3 | 121 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 121 available after May 27. | Jul 13 |
| Beans | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Peas | — | Mar 18–May 27 | 212 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 18. | Jul 29 |
| Zucchini | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 121 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 121 available after May 27. | Jul 18 |
| Onion | Feb 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 184 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 18–May 6 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 15. | Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 198 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 15. | Aug 7 |
| Radish | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16. | Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 29–May 6 | 170 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 9 | 254 | overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer. | Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 8–Jun 3 | 205 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 8; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 121 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after May 20. | Jun 21 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 29 | May 27–May 27 | 114 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 114 available after May 27. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 1 | May 6–May 20 | 163 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 163 available after May 6. | Jul 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 18 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 198 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 15. | Jul 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 114 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 114 available after May 27. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 107 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 107 available after May 27. | Jun 19 |
| Okra | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Basil | Apr 8 | Jun 3–Jun 3 | 114 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 114 available after Jun 3. | Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 15–May 6 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 149 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 149 available after May 20. | Jul 24 |
| Celery | Mar 4 | May 20–Jun 3 | 149 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 149 available after May 20. | Jun 4 |
| Scallions | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Collards | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 107 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 107 available after May 27. | Jun 4 |
| Chives | Feb 18 | May 20–May 27 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after May 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Oregano | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 163 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 163 available after May 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 18 | May 20–May 27 | 149 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 149 available after May 20. | — |
| Sage | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 163 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 163 available after May 20. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 163 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 163 available after May 20. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Cosmos | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Lavender | Feb 18 | May 13–May 27 | 170 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 170 available after May 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 1 | May 13–May 20 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 23 |
| Melons | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 107 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 107 available after May 27. | Jun 4 |
| Mint | — | May 13–May 27 | 170 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 170 available after May 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 128 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 128 available after May 20. | Jul 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 114 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 114 available after May 27. | Jun 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 13–May 27 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 13. | Jul 3 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 114 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 114 available after May 20. | Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Apr 29 | May 20–May 27 | 114 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 114 available after May 20. | Jun 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 121 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 121 available after May 27. | Jul 18 |
| Zinnias | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
Month by month in South Haven
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 18), Lavender (Feb 18), Onion (Feb 18), Rosemary (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 4), Collards (Mar 4), Kale (Mar 4), Oregano (Mar 4), Parsley (Mar 4), Scallions (Mar 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 18), Beets (Mar 18), Dill (Mar 18), Peas (Mar 18), Radish (Mar 18), Spinach (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 1), Cauliflower (Apr 1), Marigolds (Apr 1), Pepper (Apr 1), Basil (Apr 8), Tomato (Apr 8), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 1), Cilantro (Apr 15), Turnip (Apr 15), Carrots (Apr 22), Potatoes (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 15), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 15), Cabbage (Apr 15), Collards (Apr 15), Kale (Apr 15), Lettuce (Apr 15), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 8). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 13), Beans (May 20), Pole Beans (May 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 6), Cauliflower (May 6), Cosmos (May 13), Lavender (May 13), Marigolds (May 13), Mint (May 13), +24 more. Last frost around May 13. |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 3). Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Celery (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 6), Tomato (Jun 9), Watermelon (Jun 9), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 8), Pole Beans (Jul 8), Basil (Jul 13), Cosmos (Jul 13), Cucumber (Jul 13), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 7), Carrots (Aug 7), Beets (Aug 8), Dill (Aug 8), Swiss Chard (Aug 8), Calendula (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 6), Spinach (Sep 6), Radish (Sep 7). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 9). First frost around October 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 30). |
| 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 South Haven, MI (ZIP 49090)?
The median last spring frost date for South Haven, MI (ZIP code 49090) is around May 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 April 25; one in ten it runs past May 30.
What is the first fall frost date in South Haven, MI?
The median first fall frost date for South Haven, MI is around October 9. 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 23 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in South Haven, MI?
The frost-free growing season in South Haven is about 149 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 South Haven (149 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is South Haven, MI?
South Haven, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 South Haven, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 8 and plant out May 27 in South Haven. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in South Haven?
Two: plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.
When do I plant garlic in South Haven?
Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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