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When to Plant Hardy Kiwi in Missaukee County, MI

Hardy kiwi produces grape-sized, smooth-skinned fruits eaten whole without peeling. Unlike fuzzy kiwi, it is extremely cold-hardy to -25F once established.

Missaukee County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 667 feet, Missaukee County receives approximately 32.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Hardy Kiwi during the growing season.

Missaukee County, MI (Zone 5a) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
134 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Missaukee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Hardy Kiwi

Hardy Kiwi needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Hardy Kiwi Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 3.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 2.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Missaukee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Hardy Kiwi Planting Timeline โ€” Missaukee County, MI

Hardy Kiwi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Jun 23

ยท 72" apart ยท Rows 96" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Transplant Outdoors
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

1095โ€“1825 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 5.5โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

134 days in Missaukee County

Growing Tips for Missaukee County

Plant male and female vines for pollination. Provide very strong trellising as vines become massive. Prune similarly to grapes. Protect young plants from late spring frost.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Hardy Kiwi in Missaukee County, MI?

Missaukee County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Hardy Kiwi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Missaukee County, MI?

Missaukee County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Missaukee County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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