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When to plant Tomatoes in Baraga County, MI

In Baraga County, Tomatoes is a spring-only crop. Plant May 26–June 16 once soil hits 50°F.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Baraga County, MI

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the most popular home garden crop, available in thousands of varieties from tiny cherries to massive beefsteaks. They are warm-season plants needing full sun.

Baraga County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 575 feet, Baraga County receives approximately 38.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Tomatoes to ensure they mature before fall.

Baraga County, MI (Zone 5a) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
136 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Baraga County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Tomatoes to Grow

10-15 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 tomatoes plants in about 24 sq ft. In Baraga County's 136-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Baraga County, MI

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors June 2 Jun 2 – Jun 16
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 – Jun 16
Harvest August 4 Aug 4 – Oct 13

Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

136 days in Baraga County

Growing Tips for Baraga County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Bury transplants deep to encourage rooting along the stem. Provide consistent moisture to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Fennel
  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Tomatoes Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Scoop seeds from ripe fruit; ferment 2-3 days to remove gel coating.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4-6 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatoes in Baraga County, MI?

Baraga County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baraga County, MI?

Baraga County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is October 2.

When should I plant Tomatoes in Baraga County, MI?

In Baraga County, MI, plant Tomatoes after the last frost (around May 19) and before the first frost (around October 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Baraga County, MI for Tomatoes?

Baraga County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Tomatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Tomatoes grow in Baraga County's climate?

Yes — Tomatoes grows well in Baraga County's temperate climate. Baraga County averages a 136-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 19 and first frost around October 2.

🌱

Your Baraga County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Baraga County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Baraga County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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