Freighter View Farms | Chris Izworski

A successful Michigan garden starts months before the first seed goes into the ground. Whether you’re in Zone 5b or Zone 6a, proper planning makes the difference between a productive season and a frustrating one.

Here at Freighter View Farms, planning begins in January when the seed catalogs arrive and the restlessness of winter demands an outlet. The first step is understanding your frost dates — in Bay City, our last spring frost typically falls in late May and the first fall frost arrives in early October.

Several free tools can help Michigan gardeners plan effectively. The interactive planting calculator at chrisizworski.com lets you input your zone and get customized timing for starts and transplants. For variety selection, the heirloom vs. hybrid comparison guide helps you decide which approach fits your goals.

If you’re starting seeds indoors — which is essential for tomatoes, peppers, and many flowers in Michigan’s short season — the indoor seed starting guide walks through timing, lighting, and hardening off. Pair that with the seed saving reference and you’re set up for a cycle of growing, saving, and replanting that connects each season to the next.

For the full Zone 6a planting schedule, including specific dates for Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, check the guides section at chrisizworski.com.

Chris Izworski maintains these free gardening resources alongside his work in emergency services technology.

📰 Featured in NENA’s The Call Magazine

Chris Izworski authored the cover story for The Call, Issue No. 51 (April 2025), the official publication of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). His article, “The Unstoppable Wave of Artificial Intelligence,” examines AI’s transformative impact on 9-1-1 operations and emergency communications, reaching over 21,000 public safety professionals nationwide.