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

Planting zone for Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids, MI is in USDA zone 6a across its 26 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 10.

Grand Rapids on the zone map

Outlined: its 12 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 codes26
Last frostMay 6
First frostOct 10
Growing season157 days

6a 26 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season157 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station E Grand Rapids, MI, elevation 745 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 Grand Rapids

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 49501 came on Mar 30 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

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.

Trees 58

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 105

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 220

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 174

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 8

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 creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °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 Grand Rapids, MI.

Soil in Grand Rapids, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49501 is Spinks — sand, well drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Spinks complex, 0 to 8 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 49501; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Grand Rapids, MI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,590base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation39.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall75 inper year; 73 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 31 °F, low 17 °F 31°17° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 18 °F 34°18° FebMarch: average high 44 °F, low 24 °F 44°24° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 56 °F 79°56° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 40 °F 61°40° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 31 °F 47°31° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 23 °F 36°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.72 in precipitation, 21.7 in snowfall 2.7❄22 JanFebruary: 2.11 in precipitation, 22.3 in snowfall 2.1❄22 FebMarch: 2.60 in precipitation, 5.3 in snowfall 2.6❄5 MarApril: 4.10 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 4.1❄3 AprMay: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.30 in precipitation, 6 in snowfall 3.3❄6 NovDecember: 2.76 in precipitation, 17 in snowfall 2.8❄17 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: E Grand Rapids, MI (3 mi away); precipitation: E Grand Rapids, MI (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Grand Rapids

495016a
−10 to −5 °F
495026a
−10 to −5 °F
495036a
−10 to −5 °F
495046a
−10 to −5 °F
495056a
−10 to −5 °F
495066a
−10 to −5 °F
495076a
−10 to −5 °F
495086a
−10 to −5 °F
495106a
−10 to −5 °F
495126a
−10 to −5 °F
495146a
−10 to −5 °F
495156a
−10 to −5 °F
495166a
−10 to −5 °F
495186a
−10 to −5 °F
495236a
−10 to −5 °F
495256a
−10 to −5 °F
495286a
−10 to −5 °F
495306a
−10 to −5 °F
495346a
−10 to −5 °F
495446a
−10 to −5 °F
495466a
−10 to −5 °F
495486a
−10 to −5 °F
495556a
−10 to −5 °F
495606a
−10 to −5 °F
495886a
−10 to −5 °F
495996a
−10 to −5 °F

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about Grand Rapids

What planting zone is Grand Rapids, MI?

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

When is the last frost in Grand Rapids, MI?

The median last spring frost is May 6 and the median first fall frost is October 10 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Grand Rapids station).

When can I plant a garden in Grand Rapids, MI?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 25 – Apr 15; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 13, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Grand Rapids, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Grand Rapids, MI get?

About 39.6 inches of precipitation a year and 75 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).