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

Planting zone for Gaylord, MI

Gaylord, MI is in USDA zone 5a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost September 30.

Gaylord 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
ZIP codes2
Last frostMay 22
First frostSep 30
Growing season130 days

5a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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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 Gaylord, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 10
Growing season130 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 6 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Gaylord Otsego Co. Airport, MI, elevation 1,335 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 Gaylord

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 10 – May 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19
BeansSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 5 – Aug 19
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 49734 came on Apr 22 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

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 5a in Michigan

551 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 54

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 103

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 207

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Grasses 166

alpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 7

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Gaylord, MI.

Soil in Gaylord, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49734 is Lindquist — moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lindquist sand, 0 to 6 percent slopes.

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 49734; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gaylord, MI

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, February
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,872base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 37 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 46 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation29.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 25 °F, low 11 °F 25°11° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 10 °F 27°10° FebMarch: average high 38 °F, low 18 °F 38°18° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 30 °F 51°30° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 47 °F 68°47° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° OctNovember: average high 41 °F, low 27 °F 41°27° NovDecember: average high 30 °F, low 18 °F 30°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 JanFebruary: 1.09 in precipitation 1.1 FebMarch: 1.42 in precipitation 1.4 MarApril: 2.73 in precipitation 2.7 AprMay: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 MayJune: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 JunJuly: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 JulAugust: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 2.28 in precipitation 2.3 NovDecember: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gaylord Otsego Co. Airport, MI (2 mi away); precipitation: Gaylord Otsego Co. Airport, MI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Gaylord

497345a
−20 to −15 °F
497355a
−20 to −15 °F

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about Gaylord

What planting zone is Gaylord, MI?

Gaylord, MI is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map (5a: −20 to −15 °F).

When is the last frost in Gaylord, MI?

The median last spring frost is May 22 and the median first fall frost is September 30 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gaylord Otsego Co. Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Gaylord, MI?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Apr 10 – May 1; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 29, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Gaylord, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 37 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Gaylord, MI get?

About 29.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).