Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Auburn Hills, MI

Auburn Hills, MI is in USDA zone 6a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 20.

Auburn Hills on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 29

First frostOct 20

Growing season172 days

6a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Auburn Hills, MI…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Auburn Hills, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Pontiac Oakland Co. Intl Airport, MI, elevation 978 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Auburn Hills

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 20) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 48326 came on Apr 5 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

average
Apr 112026
Apr 5

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6a in Michigan

580 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Auburn Hills, MI.

Soil in Auburn Hills, MI

The center of ZIP 48326 is mapped as Urban land: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 48326; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Auburn Hills, MI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,869base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 02 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation33.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall36 inper year; 62 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pontiac Wwtp, MI (4 mi away); precipitation: Pontiac Wwtp, MI (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Auburn Hills

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about Auburn Hills

What planting zone is Auburn Hills, MI?

Auburn Hills, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map (6a: −10 to −5 °F).

When is the last frost in Auburn Hills, MI?

The median last spring frost is April 29 and the median first fall frost is October 20 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pontiac Oakland Co. Intl Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Auburn Hills, MI?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 18 – Apr 8; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 6, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Auburn Hills, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Auburn Hills, MI get?

About 33.9 inches of precipitation a year and 36 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).