Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Jenison, MI

Jenison, MI is in USDA zone 6a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 10.

Jenison 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 frostMay 6

First frostOct 10

Growing season157 days

6a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Jenison, 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 Jenison, 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 Jenison

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 49428 came on Mar 30 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

average
Apr 122026
Mar 30

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 Jenison, MI.

Soil in Jenison, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49428 is Boyer — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains 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 classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Boyer loamy sand, 0 to 2 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 49428; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Jenison, 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 21 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 01 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation42.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: E Grand Rapids, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Grandville 1.3 Wsw, MI (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Jenison

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about Jenison

What planting zone is Jenison, MI?

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

When is the last frost in Jenison, 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 Jenison, 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 Jenison, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Jenison, MI get?

About 42.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).