Rapid River 4SSE, MI Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Rapid River 4SSE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 18
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 4
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
139 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 3 May 18 Jun 2
First fall frost Oct 18 Oct 4 Sep 18
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 5 · first Oct 17

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the RAPID RVR 4SSE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Rapid River 4SSE

Computed from Rapid River 4SSE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 23 – Apr 6 May 25 – Jun 1
🫑 Peppers Mar 9 – Mar 23 Jun 1 – Jun 8
🥬 Lettuce Apr 6 – Apr 20 Apr 20 – May 4 Apr 20 – May 18
🫛 Peas Apr 6 – Apr 20
🥕 Carrots Apr 27 – May 18
🥦 Broccoli Mar 30 – Apr 13 Apr 27 – May 11
🥬 Kale Apr 6 – Apr 20 Apr 20 – May 4 Apr 20 – May 4
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 20 – Apr 27 May 25 – Jun 1 May 25 – Jun 1
🥒 Zucchini Apr 20 – Apr 27 May 25 – Jun 1 May 25 – Jun 1
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 25 – Jun 1
🌽 Sweet Corn May 25 – Jun 1
🌿 Basil Apr 6 – Apr 20 May 25 – Jun 1 Jun 1 – Jun 8
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 23 – Sep 20

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Rapid River 4SSE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Rapid River 4SSE

At about 139 frost-free days, Rapid River 4SSE rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Rapid River 4SSE, MI?

The average last spring frost in Rapid River 4SSE is around May 18, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Rapid River 4SSE, MI?

The average first fall frost in Rapid River 4SSE arrives around Oct 4. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Rapid River 4SSE?

About 139 frost-free days on average, from May 18 to Oct 4. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is Rapid River 4SSE in?

USDA zone 5a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.