Traverse City Cherry Cptl Airport, MI Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
May 12
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 16
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
157 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 26 May 12 May 27
First fall frost Nov 1 Oct 16 Oct 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 30 · first Oct 30

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the TRAVERSE CITY CHERRY CPTL AP 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 Traverse City Cherry Cptl Airport

Computed from Traverse City Cherry Cptl Airport'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 17 – Mar 31 May 19 – May 26
🫑 Peppers Mar 3 – Mar 17 May 26 – Jun 2
🥬 Lettuce Mar 31 – Apr 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28 Apr 14 – May 12
🫛 Peas Mar 31 – Apr 14
🥕 Carrots Apr 21 – May 12
🥦 Broccoli Mar 24 – Apr 7 Apr 21 – May 5
🥬 Kale Mar 31 – Apr 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28 Apr 14 – Apr 28
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 14 – Apr 21 May 19 – May 26 May 19 – May 26
🥒 Zucchini Apr 14 – Apr 21 May 19 – May 26 May 19 – May 26
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 19 – May 26
🌽 Sweet Corn May 19 – May 26
🌿 Basil Mar 31 – Apr 14 May 19 – May 26 May 26 – Jun 2
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 4 – Oct 2

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 Cherry Cptl Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Traverse City Cherry Cptl Airport

Roughly 157 frost-free days gives Traverse City Cherry Cptl Airport gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after May 12; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 16 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Traverse City Cherry Cptl Airport, MI?

The average last spring frost in Traverse City Cherry Cptl Airport is around May 12, 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 Cherry Cptl Airport, MI?

The average first fall frost in Traverse City Cherry Cptl Airport arrives around Oct 16. 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 Cherry Cptl Airport?

About 157 frost-free days on average, from May 12 to Oct 16. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Traverse City Cherry Cptl Airport 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.