Houghton Lake 6 WSW, MI Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Houghton Lake 6 WSW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 30
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Sep 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
108 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 12 May 30 Jun 19
First fall frost Oct 1 Sep 15 Aug 26
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 16 · first Sep 30

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the HOUGHTON LAKE 6 WSW 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 Houghton Lake 6 WSW

Computed from Houghton Lake 6 WSW'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 Apr 4 – Apr 18 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🫑 Peppers Mar 21 – Apr 4 Jun 13 – Jun 20
🥬 Lettuce Apr 18 – May 2 May 2 – May 16 May 2 – May 30
🫛 Peas Apr 18 – May 2
🥕 Carrots May 9 – May 30
🥦 Broccoli Apr 11 – Apr 25 May 9 – May 23
🥬 Kale Apr 18 – May 2 May 2 – May 16 May 2 – May 16
🥒 Cucumbers May 2 – May 9 Jun 6 – Jun 13 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🥒 Zucchini May 2 – May 9 Jun 6 – Jun 13 Jun 6 – Jun 13
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 6 – Jun 13
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 6 – Jun 13
🌿 Basil Apr 18 – May 2 Jun 6 – Jun 13 Jun 13 – Jun 20
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 4 – Sep 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 Houghton Lake 6 WSW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Houghton Lake 6 WSW

At about 108 frost-free days, Houghton Lake 6 WSW 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 Houghton Lake 6 WSW, MI?

The average last spring frost in Houghton Lake 6 WSW is around May 30, 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 Houghton Lake 6 WSW, MI?

The average first fall frost in Houghton Lake 6 WSW arrives around Sep 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 Houghton Lake 6 WSW?

About 108 frost-free days on average, from May 30 to Sep 15. 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 Houghton Lake 6 WSW 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.