Traverse City, MI planting zone & frost dates
Traverse City is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around May 9 and the first fall frost around October 15, for a growing season of about 156 days.
Planting calendar for Traverse City
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 9) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 Transplant outdoors: May 16 – May 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: May 23 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: May 23 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 16 – May 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 16 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 16 – May 23 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 16 – May 23 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 Transplant outdoors: May 16 – May 23 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 20 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 15).
Useful for zone 6a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 26 | May 9 | May 23 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 1 | Oct 15 | Oct 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 23, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 28.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Traverse City
- 49684 zone 6a
- 49685 zone 6a
- 49686 zone 6b
- 49696 zone 5b
Nearby cities
- Cadillac zone 5a, last frost May 19
- Big Rapids zone 5b, last frost May 13
- Mount Pleasant zone 6a, last frost Apr 30
- Muskegon zone 6b, last frost Apr 30
- Muskegon Heights zone 6b, last frost Apr 30
- Northview zone 6a, last frost May 6
- Norton Shores zone 6b, last frost Apr 30
- Comstock Park zone 6a, last frost May 6
Questions
What growing zone is Traverse City, MI?
Traverse City is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zones 5b, 6b.
When is the last frost in Traverse City?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Traverse City is May 9. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 23.
When can I plant tomatoes in Traverse City?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 16 – May 23. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Traverse City Munson, MI (USC00208249), 1.9 km (1.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 194 m, based on 19 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.