Top 10 Vegetables To Grow In Michigan
Top 10 Vegetables To Grow In Michigan
Growing Vegetables In Northern Michigan
Northern Michigan is known for its short growing season and cool temperatures, making it important to choose the right vegetables to grow. While the Traverse City region does have some climate advantages provided by lake effect, there is still a limited variety of vegetables that can successfully be grown in a season.
With the right selection of vegetables and proper care, you can have a bountiful harvest in this region. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 vegetables to grow in Northern Michigan, focusing on the Traverse City region, and why they are the best choices for this area.
(Featured Image: Vegetables by Sonny Abesamis)
10 Vegetables To Grow In Michigan:
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in Northern Michigan. They are a warm-season crop that requires full sun and warm soil to thrive. In the Traverse City and Leelanau Peninsula regions, it is best to start tomato seeds indoors in early spring and transplant them outside once the soil has warmed up. Cherry tomatoes and heirloom varieties are well-suited to the cooler temperatures of Northern Michigan.
Tomatoes by Manjith Kainickara
2. Peppers
Peppers are another warm-season crop that thrive in full sun. They are easy to grow and require little maintenance. Peppers can be started indoors in early spring and transplanted outside once the soil has warmed up. In the Traverse City region, bell peppers, jalapenos, and banana peppers are the most popular varieties to grow.
Bell Pepper by Ken Cook
3. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a cool-season crop that thrives in the cooler temperatures of Northern Michigan. They require full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Cucumbers can be started indoors in early spring and transplanted outside once the soil has warmed up. In Leelanau and Benzie counties, pickling cucumbers and slicing cucumbers are the most popular varieties to grow.
Fresh green cucumber on a plant close up
4. Beans
Beans are another cool-season crop that thrives in the cooler temperatures of Northern Michigan. They are easy to grow and require little maintenance. Beans can be started directly from seed in the garden in late spring or early summer. In the Traverse City region, bush beans and pole beans are the most popular varieties to grow.
Green Beans by F Delventhal
5. Carrots
Carrots are a cool-season crop that thrives in the cooler temperatures of Northern Michigan. They require full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Carrots can be started directly from seed in the garden in late spring or early summer. Nantes and Danvers are the most popular varieties to grow in Northwest Michigan.
Carrots by Woodley Wonder Works
6. Kale
Kale is a cool-season crop that thrives in the cooler temperatures of Northern Michigan. It is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. Kale can be started directly from seed in the garden in early spring or late summer. In the Midwest, curly kale and red kale are the most popular varieties to grow.
Kale With Ice by Natural Flow
7. Broccoli
Broccoli is a cool-season crop that thrives in the cooler temperatures of Northern Michigan. It requires full sun and well-drained soil. Broccoli can be started indoors in early spring and transplanted outside once the soil has warmed up. Pests and mold are the most common contributors to a low harvest rate.
Broccoli by Woodley Wonder Works
8. Lettuce
Lettuce is a cool-season crop that thrives in the cooler temperatures of Northern Michigan. It requires partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Lettuce can be started directly from seed in the garden in early spring or late summer. In the Traverse City region, leaf lettuce and romaine lettuce are the most popular varieties to grow.
Lettuce Mini Heads by Dwight Sipler
9. Potatoes
Potatoes are a cool-season crop that thrives in the cooler temperatures of Northern Michigan. They require full sun and well-drained soil. Potatoes can be started from seed potatoes in early spring and harvested in late summer or early fall. In Northwest Michigan, Russet potatoes are easily grown and harvested in a single season.
Potato Harvest by Mark Lincoln
10. Squash
There are numerous varieties of squash that can be grown in the Midwest. Squash tend to be pretty hardy and can often outcompete other plants in the garden. Squash prefer full sun and do well in Michigan’s hot summers. Northern Michigan gardeners prefer zucchini squash, winter squash, and acorn squash to grow in their gardens.
Acorn Squash by Butter
Shop Local Vegetable Starts
There is no limit to what you can grow in a Michigan garden, as long as you are able to start the seeds indoors. Alternatively, you can start with a seedling plant that is already large enough to be transplanted in an outdoor garden.
Starting with a pack of healthy seedlings is the key to a prosperous garden. Bright Lane Gardens offers a wide variety of Michigan-friendly vegetable starts, including the recommendations listed above. Shop local for your Northern Michigan garden.