Frost Dates for Traverse City, MI 49684
Last spring frost May 29 · First fall frost October 1 · 125 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 49684 has about 21,600 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Traverse City.
Moderate season: 125 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 13–June 14 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 16–October 16 (30 days).
Frost probability for 49684
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 14 | May 29 | May 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 16 | October 1 | October 16 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MAPLE CITY 1E (11.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 125-day season in Traverse City
In Traverse City (125 frost-free days, a moderate season), 36 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 4 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 24 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 83 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 17 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 83 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 10 |
| Carrots | — | May 8–May 15 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8. | Jul 30 |
| Cucumber | May 8 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 97 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 12. | Jul 5 |
| Beans | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after Jun 5. | Jul 12 |
| Peas | — | Apr 3–Jun 12 | 188 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 3. | Jul 21 |
| Zucchini | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 97 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 12. | Jul 10 |
| Onion | Mar 6 | May 1–May 15 | 160 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 160 available after May 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 3–May 22 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 1. | Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after May 1. | Jul 30 |
| Radish | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | May 15–May 22 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 1 | 230 | overwinter: Plant Oct 1 to Oct 22; harvest the following summer. | Oct 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 24–Jun 19 | 181 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 1 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 5. | Jun 13 |
| Pumpkin | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 12 | 90 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 17 | May 22–Jun 5 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after May 22. | Jul 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 3 | May 15–May 15 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 174 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 174 available after May 1. | Jun 30 |
| Butternut Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 90 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 10 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 83 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Okra | May 1 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | Jul 10 |
| Basil | Apr 24 | Jun 19–Jun 19 | 90 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 19. | Jul 5 |
| Cilantro | — | May 1–May 22 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Parsley | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after Jun 5. | Jul 16 |
| Celery | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 125 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 125 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Turnip | — | May 1–May 15 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Bok Choy | May 1 | May 22–May 29 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 22 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 10 |
| Collards | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Cantaloupe | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 6 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Oregano | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 139 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 139 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 6 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Sage | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 17 | May 15–May 29 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Cosmos | May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 29. | Jul 5 |
| Lavender | Mar 6 | May 29–Jun 12 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 17 | May 29–Jun 5 | 111 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 111 available after May 29. | Jul 15 |
| Melons | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 29. | Jul 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 104 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | Jun 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 90 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 111 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 111 available after May 29. | Jun 25 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | Jun 6 |
| Watermelon | May 15 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 90 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 97 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 12. | Jul 10 |
| Zinnias | May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 29. | Jul 5 |
Month by month in Traverse City
| 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 6), Lavender (Mar 6), Onion (Mar 6), Rosemary (Mar 6), Celery (Mar 20), Collards (Mar 20), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 3), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 3), Cabbage (Apr 3), Lettuce (Apr 3), Sage (Apr 3), Swiss Chard (Apr 3), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 3), Beets (Apr 3), Dill (Apr 3), Peas (Apr 3), Radish (Apr 3), Spinach (Apr 3), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 24). |
| May | Start indoors: Bok Choy (May 1), Corn (May 1), Cosmos (May 1), Nasturtiums (May 1), Okra (May 1), Zinnias (May 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 1), Turnip (May 1), Carrots (May 8), Potatoes (May 15), Sunflowers (May 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 1), Brussel Sprouts (May 1), Cabbage (May 1), Collards (May 1), Kale (May 1), Lettuce (May 1), +12 more. Last frost around May 29. |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 5), Pole Beans (Jun 5). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 5), Chives (Jun 5), Corn (Jun 5), Okra (Jun 5), Oregano (Jun 5), Parsley (Jun 5), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Tomatillos (Jun 6), Corn (Jun 13), Sunflowers (Jun 25), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 30), Pole Beans (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 5), Cosmos (Jul 5), Cucumber (Jul 5), Zinnias (Jul 5), Broccoli (Jul 6), Nasturtiums (Jul 10), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 5), Cilantro (Aug 5), Collards (Aug 9), Scallions (Aug 9), Bok Choy (Aug 10), Lettuce (Aug 10), +6 more. |
| September | First fall frost approaching (around October 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 1). First frost around October 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 22). |
| 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 Traverse City, MI (ZIP 49684)?
The median last spring frost date for Traverse City, MI (ZIP code 49684) is around May 29. 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 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Traverse City, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Traverse City, MI is around October 1. 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 16 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Traverse City, MI?
The frost-free growing season in Traverse City is about 125 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 Traverse City (125 frost-free days, a moderate season), 36 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 4 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Traverse City, MI?
Traverse City, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Traverse City, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 24 and plant out Jun 12 in Traverse City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Traverse City?
Two: plant May 1 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8.
When do I plant garlic in Traverse City?
Oct 1 to Oct 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Traverse City?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 10 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Manistee (ZIP 49660) has 147 frost-free days, 22 more than Traverse City (ZIP 49684). See Manistee ZIP 49660 frost dates
Nearby and related
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