Traverse City, MI Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Traverse City garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
159 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
6a
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 26 May 9 May 23
First fall frost Nov 1 Oct 15 Oct 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 28 · first Oct 30

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Traverse City Munson station (2 km from central Traverse City). "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 Traverse City

Computed from Traverse City's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 14 – Mar 28 May 16 – May 23
🫑 Peppers Feb 28 – Mar 14 May 23 – May 30
🥬 Lettuce Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 11 – May 9
🫛 Peas Mar 28 – Apr 11
🥕 Carrots Apr 18 – May 9
🥦 Broccoli Mar 21 – Apr 4 Apr 18 – May 2
🥬 Kale Mar 28 – Apr 11 Apr 11 – Apr 25 Apr 11 – Apr 25
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 11 – Apr 18 May 16 – May 23 May 16 – May 23
🥒 Zucchini Apr 11 – Apr 18 May 16 – May 23 May 16 – May 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 16 – May 23
🌽 Sweet Corn May 16 – May 23
🌿 Basil Mar 28 – Apr 11 May 16 – May 23 May 23 – May 30
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 3 – Oct 1

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 Traverse City's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Traverse City

Roughly 159 frost-free days gives Traverse City gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 9; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 15 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Traverse City, MI?

The average last spring frost in Traverse City is around May 9, 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 Traverse City, MI?

The average first fall frost in Traverse City arrives around Oct 15. 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 Traverse City?

About 159 frost-free days on average, from May 9 to Oct 15. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Traverse City in?

USDA zone 6a 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.