Frost Dates for Traverse City, MI 49686
Last spring frost May 29 · First fall frost September 24 · 118 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 49686 has about 25,500 people, the largest of 4 ZIP codes in Traverse City.
Short season: 118 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 13–June 14 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 10–October 9 (29 days).
Frost probability for 49686
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 14 | May 29 | May 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 10 | September 24 | October 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MAPLE CITY 1E (23.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Traverse City, MI
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49686 | May 29 | September 24 | 6b |
| 49684 | May 29 | October 1 | 6a |
| 49685 | May 29 | October 1 | 6a |
| 49696 | May 30 | September 15 | 5b |
Which crops fit a 118-day season in Traverse City
In Traverse City (118 frost-free days, a short season), 33 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 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 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 17 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 76 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 3 |
| Carrots | — | May 8–May 15 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after May 8. | Jul 23 |
| Cucumber | May 8 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 90 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 12. | Jun 28 |
| Beans | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 5. | Jul 5 |
| Peas | — | Apr 3–Jun 12 | 181 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 3. | Jul 14 |
| Zucchini | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 90 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 12. | Jul 3 |
| Onion | Mar 6 | May 1–May 15 | 153 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 153 available after May 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 3–May 22 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 22 |
| Kale | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 1. | Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after May 1. | Jul 23 |
| Radish | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Potatoes | — | May 15–May 22 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 24 | 223 | overwinter: Plant Sep 24 to Oct 15; harvest the following summer. | Oct 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 24–Jun 19 | 174 | 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 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 5. | Jun 6 |
| Pumpkin | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 12 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 17 | May 22–Jun 5 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 22. | Jul 4 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 3 | May 15–May 15 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after May 1. | Jun 23 |
| Butternut Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 10 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 76 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 12. | — |
| Okra | May 1 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 97 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 5. | Jul 3 |
| Basil | Apr 24 | Jun 19–Jun 19 | 83 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 19. | Jun 28 |
| Cilantro | — | May 1–May 22 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Parsley | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after Jun 5. | Jul 9 |
| Celery | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 118 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Turnip | — | May 1–May 15 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Bok Choy | May 1 | May 22–May 29 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 22 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 1. | Aug 3 |
| Collards | Mar 20 | May 1–May 15 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Cantaloupe | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 6 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 3–Jun 26 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Oregano | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 6 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Sage | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 20 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 17 | May 15–May 29 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Cosmos | May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jun 28 |
| Lavender | Mar 6 | May 29–Jun 12 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 17 | May 29–Jun 5 | 104 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jul 8 |
| Melons | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jul 3 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 5–Jun 19 | 97 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 5. | Jun 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 12, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 29–Jun 12 | 104 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jun 18 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 3 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 83 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Watermelon | May 15 | Jun 5–Jun 12 | 83 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 5. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 15 | Jun 12–Jun 19 | 90 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 12. | Jul 3 |
| Zinnias | May 1 | May 29–Jun 12 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 29. | Jun 28 |
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: Corn (Jun 6), Sunflowers (Jun 18), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 23), Pole Beans (Jun 23), Basil (Jun 28), Cosmos (Jun 28), +3 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 3), Okra (Jul 3), Yellow Squash (Jul 3), Zucchini (Jul 3), Cauliflower (Jul 4), Beans (Jul 5), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 2), Scallions (Aug 2), Bok Choy (Aug 3), Lettuce (Aug 3), Kale (Aug 7), Kohlrabi (Aug 7), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 24). First frost around September 24. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 15). |
| 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 Traverse City, MI (ZIP 49686)?
The median last spring frost date for Traverse City, MI (ZIP code 49686) 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 September 24. 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 10 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 118 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 (118 frost-free days, a short season), 33 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Traverse City, MI?
Traverse City, 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 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 3; both mature before Oct 1.
When do I plant garlic in Traverse City?
Sep 24 to Oct 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Traverse City?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 5, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Traverse City (ZIP 49684) has 125 frost-free days, 7 more than Traverse City (ZIP 49686). See Traverse City ZIP 49684 frost dates
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