Frost Dates for West Branch, MI 48661
Last spring frost May 27 · First fall frost September 22 · 118 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 48661 has about 10,600 people.
Short season: 118 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 12–June 11 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans September 11–October 4 (23 days).
Frost probability for 48661
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 11 | May 27 | May 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 11 | September 22 | October 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MIO HYDRO PLT (37.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 118-day season in West Branch
In West Branch (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 22 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 15 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 76 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 10. | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 1 |
| Carrots | — | May 6–May 13 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after May 6. | Jul 21 |
| Cucumber | May 6 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 90 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 10. | Jun 26 |
| Beans | — | Jun 3–Jun 17 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 3. | Jul 3 |
| Peas | — | Apr 1–Jun 10 | 181 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 1. | Jul 12 |
| Zucchini | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 90 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 10. | Jul 1 |
| Onion | Mar 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 153 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Apr 1–May 20 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 20 |
| Kale | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 13 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 29. | Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 29. | Jul 21 |
| Radish | — | Apr 1–Jun 24 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | Apr 1–Jun 24 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Potatoes | — | May 13–May 20 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 22 | 223 | overwinter: Plant Sep 22 to Oct 13; harvest the following summer. | Oct 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 22–Jun 17 | 174 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 29 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 3. | Jun 4 |
| Pumpkin | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 10 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 15 | May 20–Jun 3 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 20. | Jul 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Apr 1 | May 13–May 13 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Arugula | — | Apr 1–Jun 24 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 29. | Jun 21 |
| Butternut Squash | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 8 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 76 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 10. | — |
| Okra | Apr 29 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 97 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 3. | Jul 1 |
| Basil | Apr 22 | Jun 17–Jun 17 | 83 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 17. | Jun 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 29–May 20 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Parsley | Mar 18 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after Jun 3. | Jul 7 |
| Celery | Mar 18 | Jun 3–Jun 17 | 118 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 13 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 29 | May 20–May 27 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 20 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29. | Aug 1 |
| Collards | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 13 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Cantaloupe | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 4 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Apr 1–Jun 24 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Oregano | Mar 18 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 4 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Sage | Apr 1 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 18 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Cosmos | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 10 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 27. | Jun 26 |
| Lavender | Mar 4 | May 27–Jun 10 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 15 | May 27–Jun 3 | 104 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 104 available after May 27. | Jul 6 |
| Melons | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 27–Jun 10 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 27. | Jul 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 3–Jun 17 | 97 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 3. | Jun 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 10, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 27–Jun 10 | 104 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 104 available after May 27. | Jun 16 |
| Tomatillos | Apr 1 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 83 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Watermelon | May 13 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 83 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 13 | Jun 10–Jun 17 | 90 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 10. | Jul 1 |
| Zinnias | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 10 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 27. | Jun 26 |
Month by month in West Branch
| 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 4), Lavender (Mar 4), Onion (Mar 4), Rosemary (Mar 4), Celery (Mar 18), Collards (Mar 18), +5 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Broccoli (Apr 1), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 1), Cabbage (Apr 1), Lettuce (Apr 1), Sage (Apr 1), Swiss Chard (Apr 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Apr 1), Beets (Apr 1), Dill (Apr 1), Peas (Apr 1), Radish (Apr 1), Spinach (Apr 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 29), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 29), Cabbage (Apr 29), Collards (Apr 29), Kale (Apr 29), Lettuce (Apr 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 22). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 6), Butternut Squash (May 13), Cantaloupe (May 13), Melons (May 13), Pumpkin (May 13), Spaghetti Squash (May 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 6), Potatoes (May 13), Sunflowers (May 27). Transplant from: Calendula (May 13), Swiss Chard (May 13), Bok Choy (May 20), Cauliflower (May 20), Cosmos (May 27), Lavender (May 27), +4 more. Last frost around May 27. |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 3), Pole Beans (Jun 3). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 3), Chives (Jun 3), Corn (Jun 3), Okra (Jun 3), Oregano (Jun 3), Parsley (Jun 3), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Corn (Jun 4), Sunflowers (Jun 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 21), Pole Beans (Jun 21), Basil (Jun 26), Cosmos (Jun 26), +3 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 1), Okra (Jul 1), Yellow Squash (Jul 1), Zucchini (Jul 1), Cauliflower (Jul 2), Beans (Jul 3), +12 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Aug 1), Lettuce (Aug 1), Kale (Aug 5), Kohlrabi (Aug 5), Turnip (Aug 10), Arugula (Aug 20), +2 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 22). First frost around September 22. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 13). |
| 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 West Branch, MI (ZIP 48661)?
The median last spring frost date for West Branch, MI (ZIP code 48661) is around May 27. 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 12; one in ten it runs past June 11.
What is the first fall frost date in West Branch, MI?
The median first fall frost date for West Branch, MI is around September 22. 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 11 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in West Branch, MI?
The frost-free growing season in West Branch 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 West Branch (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 West Branch, MI?
West Branch, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (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 West Branch, MI?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 22 and plant out Jun 10 in West Branch. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in West Branch?
Two: plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Sep 29.
When do I plant garlic in West Branch?
Sep 22 to Oct 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in West Branch?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Gladwin (ZIP 48624) has 127 frost-free days, 9 more than West Branch (ZIP 48661). See Gladwin ZIP 48624 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Roscommon, MI 48653 (21.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Gladwin, MI 48624 (21.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Harrison, MI 48625 (35.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Midland, MI 48642 (43.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Gaylord, MI 49735 (50.6 mi)
- When to plant in MI
- When to plant Beans in MI
- When to plant Strawberries in MI
- When to plant Beets in MI
- When to plant Broccoli in MI
- When to plant Carrots in MI
- When to plant Kale in MI
- Look up another ZIP