Try to choose short-season crops like greens or cole plants. Good choices in northern Michigan include cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower Cauliflower is one of several vegetables in the species Brassica oleracea in the genus Brassica, which is in the family Brassicaceae. It is an annual plant that reproduces by seed. Typically, only the head is eaten – the edible white flesh sometimes called "curd". The cauliflower head is composed …Cauliflower
What are the cash crops in Michigan?
Area 8 is the leading cash crop area in Michigan. The major cash crops are field beans, sugar beets, corn and wheat. The other major crops - oats and forages - are mostly fed to livestock on farms in the area.
What crops grow in Montcalm Michigan?
In Montcalm, 41% of the farm product sales is from field crops mostly potatoes, dry field beans and wheat. Locally, cucumbers, snap beans, onion, celery, carrots and spinach are important sources of farm product sales. Area 10 was formerly the major potato region of Michigan.
Which crops in Michigan are most sensitive to adverse climatic conditions?
The crops in Michigan most sensitive to adverse climatic conditions are the tree fruits, corn, dry beans and certain vegetables. Source: The Climatic Atlas of Michigan, Val L. Eichenlaub, et al., 1990.
What crops grow well in Michigan?
Michigan produces fresh vegetables as well as processed foods. Cucumbers, pumpkins, summer and winter squash, beans, sweet corn, carrots, celery, onions, radishes, turnips, asparagus, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and cabbage are all important fresh market crops.
What's the easiest vegetable to grow in Michigan?
You want to spend your outdoor gardening time in the most productive way possible, by growing vegetables that are easy to grow in Michigan's short growing season.1) Tomatoes. A popular hometown vegetable, tomatoes are easy to grow as well as nutritious. ... 2) Peas. ... 3) Beans. ... 4) Onions. ... 5) Greens. ... 6) Sweet corn.
What fruits and vegetables grow good in Michigan?
Our water, weather and diverse growing regions make Michigan-grown fresh foods and products just naturally better.Morel Mushrooms. Morel mushrooms are among the safest wild mushrooms grown in Michigan and can be found in all of. ... Apples. ... Asparagus. ... BEANS. ... BEEF. ... Blueberries. ... CABBAGE. ... Carrots.More items...
What vegetables grow best in Northern Michigan?
Good choices in northern Michigan include cabbages, broccoli, cauliflower and asparagus. You can add another potato planting if you want more variety in your potatoes, since many varieties will mature in 90 days or so.
What fruit can be grown in Michigan?
Some of our recommended trees to grow in Michigan include the following.Apples. Apples are in fact one of the most important commercial fruit trees grown in Michigan. ... Pears. Pears are especially well-adapted to the Lower Peninsula because of the mild winters. ... Peaches. ... Cherries.
When should I start a garden in Michigan?
This is usually late March or early April in southern Michigan and one to three weeks later further north. Fall garden planning should be made in July through maybe September. Warm season vegetables, such as cucumbers, melons, squash, peppers and tomatoes are sensitive to cool temperatures and will be killed by frost.
What fruit is native to Michigan?
Some berries found in Michigan include brambles (raspberries and blackberries), blueberries, strawberries and juneberries. Properly identify any wild fruit before eating it, and be aware that some people may have allergies to some varieties of berries.
What zone is Michigan for planting?
In Michigan, our hardiness zones range from 4a in the western Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, to 6b in the southeast and along the Lake Michigan lakeshore.
What vegetables are native to Michigan?
Corn, beans and squash are full of vitamins but, Michigan State University Extension says that squash is the most nutritious of the three. Winter squash such as acorn or butternut has a higher percentage of carbohydrates, potassium, magnesium and vitamins A and C.
What is the easiest vegetable to grow?
10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow YourselfLettuce. We've never known a garden that cannot grow lettuce. ... Green Beans. Beans grow even in fairly poor soils, because they fix the nitrogen as they go! ... Peas. ... Radishes. ... Carrots. ... Cucumbers. ... Kale. ... Swiss Chard.More items...
What is the best tomato to grow in Michigan?
Here are a few of the best varieties to try:Beefsteak: This super common hybrid tomato grows well in Michigan. ... Roma: Roma tomatoes are about the size of your fist and look oval. ... Grape and Cherry: These small tomatoes are shaped like the fruits they're named after and can be tangy or sweet.More items...•
What herbs grow in Michigan?
Annual herbs that can be grown under Michigan conditions:Anise - licorice like flavor.Basil - warm, somewhat spicy flavor; used in many pesto recipes.Chervil - parsley/anise flavor.Cilantro - leaves give a fresh, clean taste to dishes.Coriander - seeds have a mild, lemony taste.More items...•
What is the easiest vegetable to grow?
10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow YourselfLettuce. We've never known a garden that cannot grow lettuce. ... Green Beans. Beans grow even in fairly poor soils, because they fix the nitrogen as they go! ... Peas. ... Radishes. ... Carrots. ... Cucumbers. ... Kale. ... Swiss Chard.More items...
What can I plant right now in Michigan?
From seed we can now plant peas, lettuce, parsley, spinach, swiss chard, bok choy, and onion (sets), Rebecca Finneran advises. There are also transplants at your local greenhouse that are ready to go in the ground now: celery, cabbage, broccoli, and kohlrabi.
What vegetables can I grow in fall in Michigan?
Veggie tips:VegetableDays to harvestBrussels Sprouts100Cabbage (head)80Cabbage (Chinese)80Carrots605 more rows•Jan 23, 2015
What is the best tomato to grow in Michigan?
Here are a few of the best varieties to try:Beefsteak: This super common hybrid tomato grows well in Michigan. ... Roma: Roma tomatoes are about the size of your fist and look oval. ... Grape and Cherry: These small tomatoes are shaped like the fruits they're named after and can be tangy or sweet.More items...•
What is the specialty crop in Michigan?
A critical part of Michigan’s $100 billion food and agriculture industry are known as “specialty crops,” which includes everything from apples and cherries to hops and Christmas trees.
What is Michigan Farm to Freezer?
Michigan Farm to Freezer: Check out Michigan Farm to Freezer, which distributes Michigan-grown produce frozen at peak freshness to grocers, institutions and schools across the state.
Where are Raker Roberta's plants?
Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants: Did you know Michigan ranks third in the nation in the production of floriculture products? Spring has sprung and soon garden season will be upon us, check out Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants in Litchfield, one of the largest young ornamental plant propagators in the country.
Is Michigan a specialty state?
Michigan leads the nation in the production of specialty crops, making it the second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation. We invite you to learn more about some of the specialty crops grown here in the Mitten and meet the farmers who produce them.
What vegetables are bolting?
Vegetables noted for bolting are broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, spinach and radishes. Consider getting more from your garden by bringing in that second team to extend your harvest season. See the table below for some vegetables to plant in late summer.
How long does it take for a vegetable to mature?
You must consider how many days it takes for your particular vegetable to mature. If the weather is warm in late summer and fall, the number of days will be fewer; if it is a cool growing period, it may take longer for crops to reach the harvest stage. The days to harvest are estimates.
Can collards grow in hot weather?
Collards can also handle hot weather and could be both a spring and fall crop.
Do vegetables grow better in cool weather?
Many of these vegetables do better in cool weather. Some are actually tastier when they have been lightly frosted. If these vegetables were planted in May for harvest in July, they could be tough and woody, taste bitter or bolt. (Bolting is when the plant is stressed by the hot weather and produces flowers and seeds.)
How many tons of potatoes are grown in Michigan?
The state produces more than 700,000 tons of potatoes annually, worth more than $150 million.
Where are blueberries grown in Michigan?
At least 20 varieties of blueberries are grown on farms that are located primarily in five counties in the state’s southwestern region.
What is the state of Michigan known for?
The rich and diverse soils of Michigan turn out a wide array of crops. Michigan ranks third in national production of asparagus, growing around 2 million lb. yearly. The state annually produces several other vegetables in great amounts, including 96 million lb. of cucumbers, more than 130 million lb. of onions and more than 100 million lb. of sweet corn.
What is California's agriculture?
Much of the agriculture profit in the state comes from inedible products, such as corn grown for grain, Christmas trees and floral nursery products.
How many apples are there in Michigan?
Although Michigan is known for its cherries, apples are the real fruit cash crop for the state. There are 7.5 million apple trees covering more than 38,000 acres in the Lower Peninsula. The state produces, on average, more than 1 billion lb. of apples each year, worth more than $120 million.
Where do cherries come from?
Cherries. Michigan is the nation’s No. 1 cherry producer. More than 70 percent of the tart cherries and 20 percent of the sweet cherries grown in the United States come from Michigan. The combined tonnage of cherries produced in Michigan brings in an average of over $50 million per year.
What is Michigan's soybean crop?
Michigan soybeans are an important crop in our state’s agriculture sector, contributing millions to Michigan’s economy each year. Most Michigan soybeans are grown for use in animal feed, but some soybeans are used in Michigan soyfoods and everyday household products...
What meats are grown in Michigan?
Pork chops, pork roasts, holiday hams, and of course, bacon are just a few of the many delicious meats that come from Michigan pork. Pig farmers work hard each day to provide safe, nutritious food in a responsible manner. Michigan Pork facts: Michigan pig farmers...
What is lamb in Michigan?
Michigan lamb is a lean and healthy source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and Michigan wool is a durable, warm and comfortable fiber. Michigan lamb facts: Lamb is the term for the meat of a young domestic sheep... read more.
What is Michigan grape used for?
A versatile fruit, Michigan grapes are used for table fruit, wine, juice, jams, jellies and more. Michigan wine is a growing industry, ranking top in the nation for wine grape production. Harvest for early hybrid varieties of Michigan wine grapes begins at the end of...
When are Michigan plums harvested?
Michigan plums are delicious and nutritious fresh, frozen or canned. The harvest season for Michigan plums begins in August with the major production taking place in September. While most are eaten fresh, some Michigan plums are canned and frozen.
How much corn is grown in Michigan?
Michigan field corn is one of the state’s most abundant crops, with more than 297 million bushels grown annually. The industry contributes more than $1 billion to the state’s economy. Field corn, which accounts for about 99 percent of all corn grown in the U.S., is a...
Why are farmers important in Michigan?
Michigan farmers offer an amazing variety of locally grown, quality foods and products that you can trust because farmers care about what they do and work hard to protect Michigan’s unique natural resources for their families, neighbors and future generations.
What are the major crops grown in Michigan?
This is the most important fruit region of Michigan, the major fruits being apples, peaches, grapes and pears. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, asparagus, tomatoes, muskmelons and mint are important specialty crops. Dairying is the major livestock enterprise. Farmers in general have a wide choice in the selection of fruit and vegetables crops. Largely because of the lighter soils, yields of field crops usually are not high. The major factors determining the selection of enterprises in this area are the climate, topography and nearby markets. Lake Michigan and the rolling to hilly land combine to make climatic conditions favorable to fruit production. The wholesale fruit market at Benton Harbor and local shipping centers provide good markets. The soils range from sands of low productivity to sandy loams and loams of relatively high productivity. Soil erosion is a serious problem on the more rolling lands.
What are the major farm products in Michigan?
In terms of emphasis in production, the following generalized regions can be identified on the basis of major farm products sold: (1) dairying in the southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula and scattered throughout the rest of the state; (2) beans, soy and dry , in the Saginaw Valley and cash grain, mostly corn and wheat, in many of the central and southern counties of the southern Lower Peninsula; (3) the fruit-growing counties along Lake Michigan in the Lower Peninsula; and (4) nurseries and greenhouses in the three metropolitan Detroit counties-Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb. Small areas of specialization also occur, such as hogs and pigs in Cass County, poultry and poultry products in Ottawa, and field seeds in Roscommon.
What is the most intensive poultry farm in Michigan?
Area 4 is the most intensive poultry area in Michigan. The farms are small. In addition to the usual field crops of hay, pasture, corn, oats and wheat, special crops of importance are berries, mint, celery, onions and carrots. The acreage of tree fruits is small, primarily because of poor air drainage and wet sandy soils. The livestock program centers around the dairy and poultry enterprises. Dairying has been increasing in importance during the past 15 years, and most of the milk is sold as fluid milk. The major factors influencing the selection of enterprises in Area 4 are: 1) the soils which include level, wet and dry sand of low fertility; level to rolling loam soils of higher productivity; and muck soils; and 2) the nearby markets of Muskegon, Grand Rapids and Holland.
What are the three factors that determine the best type of farming to follow in Michigan?
PHYSICAL FACTORS. The three physical factors important in determining the best type-of-farming to follow in Michigan are 1) climate, 2) soils and 3) topography. Farmers have little or no control over climate and topography. A farmer may, however, supplement rainfall by irrigation.
How many farming areas are there in Michigan?
Michigan’s 17 farming areas are largely based on the sources of farm income and the prevailing kinds of crops and livestock. The divisions between the areas are not so definite as the boundary lines would indicate. The transition from one area to the next is usually a gradual one.
How high above sea level is Michigan?
Michigan has a wide range in topography from the level lands of the old lake beds which range from 580 to 800 feet above sea level to the Huron and Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula which reach about 2,000 feet in elevation.
Why are field crops not high?
Largely because of the lighter soils, yields of field crops usually are not high. The major factors determining the selection of enterprises in this area are the climate, topography and nearby markets. Lake Michigan and the rolling to hilly land combine to make climatic conditions favorable to fruit production.
What zone is Michigan in for planting seeds?
Knowing your first and last frost dates will help you start your vegetable seeds at the right time. Michigan is in the 4, 5 & 6 USDA plant hardiness zones.
What zone is Michigan in?
Michigan is in the 4, 5 & 6 USDA plant hardiness zones. *Based on statistics there is a 10% chance that frost will occur before or after these dates. Watch your local weather for more accurate dates. Michigan on average has approximately 140 days between the last and first frost. Follow the planting schedules below for when to plant tomatoes, ...
How many days between the last frost and the first frost in Michigan?
Michigan on average has approximately 140 days between the last and first frost. Follow the planting schedules below for when to plant tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables. Zone 4 Planting Schedule. Zone 5 Planting Schedule. Zone 6 Planting Schedule.
