When to plant Lilies in Luce County, MI
In Luce County, Lilies is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant June 5–June 19 for an 70–120-day harvest, finishing well before the October 3 first frost.
When to Plant Lilies in Luce County, MI
Lilies (Lilium spp.) are among the most impressive summer-blooming bulbs, delivering bold, upward- or outward-facing trumpet blooms on tall stems from June through August. Asiatic hybrids are the most cold-hardy, earliest to bloom, and easiest to grow; Oriental hybrids bloom later with intensely fragrant, larger flowers. Orienpet (OT) hybrids combine the hardiness of Asiatics with the fragrance and size of Orientals. True lilies (not to be confused with daylilies, which are Hemerocallis) form scaly bulbs that persist and multiply underground, returning reliably each year with increasingly large clumps.
Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.
At an elevation of 1,157 feet, Luce County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Lilies to ensure they mature before fall.
Luce County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Lilies Planting Timeline — Luce County, MI
Lilies Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | June 5 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 |
| Bloom | August 14 | Aug 14 – Nov 6 |
Plant 5" deep · 12" apart · Rows 18" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | — |
| May | — |
| June | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | — |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| November | Bloom |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
📅 Days to Maturity
70–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
134 days in Luce County
Growing Tips for Luce County
Plant bulbs in fall (preferred, September–October) or spring, setting them 3 times their diameter deep (typically 4–6 inches) with the pointed end up. Lilies need excellent drainage — they will rot in wet or heavy clay soils. Site with full sun on stems and blooms but cool, shaded soil at the base (ground cover or shallow-rooted annuals at their feet is ideal). Remove spent blooms but leave stems and foliage until they yellow naturally, as the bulb needs the foliage to photosynthesize and rebuild energy stores. Red lily beetle is a serious pest in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest; inspect plants regularly and hand-pick adults and larvae. Never plant Oriental or Asiatic lilies near cats — all Lilium species are highly toxic to cats. Year 2+ bulbs produce the most stems and largest blooms.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lilies in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lilies in Luce County, MI?
Luce County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Lilies planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Luce County, MI?
Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is October 3.
When should I plant Lilies in Luce County, MI?
In Luce County, MI, plant Lilies after the last frost (around May 22) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.
What growing zone is Luce County, MI for Lilies?
Luce County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Lilies grows reliably in zones 3a through 9a, so it's a good fit here.
Can Lilies grow in Luce County's climate?
Yes — Lilies grows well in Luce County's temperate climate. Luce County averages a 134-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 22 and first frost around October 3.
Your Luce County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Luce 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.