Frost Dates for Traverse City, MI 49696
Traverse City has 4 ZIP codes. The Traverse City, MI frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 30 · First fall frost September 15 · 108 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 49696 has about 10,500 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Traverse City.
Short season: 108 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 14–June 15 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans August 28–October 3 (36 days).
Frost probability for 49696
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 15 | May 30 | May 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | August 28 | September 15 | October 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at KALKASKA (25.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 108-day season in Traverse City
In Traverse City (108 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 9 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 25 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 66 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 14 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 18 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 66 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 25 |
| Carrots | — | May 9–May 16 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after May 9. | Jul 14 |
| Cucumber | May 9 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 80 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 13. | Jun 19 |
| Beans | — | Jun 6–Jun 20 | 94 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 94 available after Jun 6. | Jun 26 |
| Peas | — | Apr 4–Jun 13 | 171 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 4. | Jul 5 |
| Zucchini | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 80 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 13. | Jun 24 |
| Onion | Mar 7 | May 2–May 16 | 143 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 4–May 23 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 13 |
| Kale | Mar 21 | May 2–May 16 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after May 2. | Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after May 2. | Jul 14 |
| Radish | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Sep 22. | Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Potatoes | — | May 16–May 23 | 129 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after May 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 15 | 213 | overwinter: Plant Sep 15 to Oct 6; harvest the following summer. | Oct 6 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 25–Jun 20 | 164 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | May 2 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 80 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Pumpkin | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 13 | 73 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Traverse City has 73 after Jun 13. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 18 | May 23–Jun 6 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 23. | Jun 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 4 | May 16–May 16 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 13 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 157 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 157 available after May 2. | Jun 14 |
| Butternut Squash | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 73 | no-fit: Needs 100 days; Traverse City has 73 after Jun 13. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 11 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 66 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Okra | May 2 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 87 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 6. | Jun 24 |
| Basil | Apr 25 | Jun 20–Jun 20 | 73 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 73 available after Jun 20. | — |
| Cilantro | — | May 2–May 23 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Parsley | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 108 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 108 available after Jun 6. | Jun 30 |
| Celery | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 20 | 108 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 21 | May 2–May 16 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Turnip | — | May 2–May 16 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Bok Choy | May 2 | May 23–May 30 | 122 | two-plantings: Plant May 23 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 25 |
| Collards | Mar 21 | May 2–May 16 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cantaloupe | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 66 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 7 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 4–Jun 27 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Oregano | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 122 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 7 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 108 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 108 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Sage | Apr 4 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 21 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 122 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 122 available after Jun 6. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 18 | May 16–May 30 | 129 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Cosmos | May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 | 94 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 94 available after May 30. | Jun 19 |
| Lavender | Mar 7 | May 30–Jun 13 | 129 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after May 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 18 | May 30–Jun 6 | 94 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 94 available after May 30. | Jun 29 |
| Melons | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 66 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 19 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 30–Jun 13 | 129 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after May 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | May 2 | May 30–Jun 6 | 94 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 94 available after May 30. | Jun 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 6–Jun 20 | 87 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 6. | Jun 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 13, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 30–Jun 13 | 94 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 94 available after May 30. | Jun 9 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 4 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Watermelon | May 16 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | 73 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 16 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | 80 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 13. | Jun 24 |
| Zinnias | May 2 | May 30–Jun 13 | 94 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 94 available after May 30. | Jun 19 |
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 7), Lavender (Mar 7), Onion (Mar 7), Rosemary (Mar 7), Celery (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), Sage (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 4), Beets (Apr 4), Dill (Apr 4), Peas (Apr 4), Radish (Apr 4), Spinach (Apr 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 25). |
| May | Start indoors: Bok Choy (May 2), Corn (May 2), Cosmos (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Okra (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (May 2), Turnip (May 2), Carrots (May 9), Potatoes (May 16), Sunflowers (May 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (May 2), Brussel Sprouts (May 2), Cabbage (May 2), Collards (May 2), Kale (May 2), Lettuce (May 2), +12 more. Last frost around May 30. |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 6), Pole Beans (Jun 6). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 6), Chives (Jun 6), Corn (Jun 6), Okra (Jun 6), Oregano (Jun 6), Parsley (Jun 6), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jun 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 14), Pole Beans (Jun 14), Cosmos (Jun 19), Cucumber (Jun 19), Zinnias (Jun 19), +9 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Peas (Jul 5), Cabbage (Jul 14), Carrots (Jul 14), Beets (Jul 15), Dill (Jul 15), Swiss Chard (Jul 15), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Aug 3), Arugula (Aug 13), Spinach (Aug 13), Radish (Aug 14). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 15). First frost around September 15. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 6). |
| 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 49696)?
The median last spring frost date for Traverse City, MI (ZIP code 49696) is around May 30. 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 14; one in ten it runs past June 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Traverse City, MI?
The median first fall frost date for Traverse City, MI is around September 15. 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 28 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 108 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 (108 frost-free days, a short season), 29 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 9 need an indoor start, 2 don't reliably mature, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Traverse City, MI?
Traverse City, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (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 25 and plant out Jun 13 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 2 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 22.
When do I plant garlic in Traverse City?
Sep 15 to Oct 6; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Traverse City?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 6, the outdoor season is about 12 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Traverse City (ZIP 49686) has 118 frost-free days, 10 more than Traverse City (ZIP 49696). See Traverse City ZIP 49686 frost dates
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