Frost dates for 49686Traverse City, MI
The average last spring frost in Traverse City is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 7 · May 22 · Jun 4 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 9 · May 23 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Nov 1 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 181 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Traverse City
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 49686 is matched to the NOAA station Traverse City Munson, MI, 1.9 km away, at 635 ft elevation (38 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traverse City Munson, MI (used) | 635 ft | May 9 | Oct 15 |
| Traverse City Cherry Cptl Ap, MI | 618 ft | May 12 | Oct 16 |
| Nw Michigan Rsch Farm, MI | 820 ft | Apr 30 | Nov 1 |
| Old Mission 3Ssw, MI | 656 ft | May 13 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Traverse City
- Traverse City, MI 49685 · last May 9, first Oct 15
- Acme, MI 49610 · last May 12, first Oct 16
- Grawn, MI 49637 · last May 9, first Oct 15
- Williamsburg, MI 49690 · last May 12, first Oct 16
- Mayfield, MI 49666 · last May 12, first Oct 16
- Lake Ann, MI 49650 · last May 22, first Oct 9
- Cedar, MI 49621 · last May 22, first Oct 9
- Interlochen, MI 49643 · last May 22, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Traverse City, MI?
- For ZIP code 49686, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Traverse City Munson, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Traverse City, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 49686?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.