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

Planting zone for 48061 — Port Huron, MI

ZIP code 48061 (Port Huron, St. Clair County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 48061 is

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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C

Last frostApr 19

First frostNov 3

2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Port Huron, 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 Port Huron, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Port Huron, MI — within 1 mile, elevation 591 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 48061

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 48061 came on Apr 11 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

average
Apr 132026
Apr 11

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 6b in Michigan

582 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 Port Huron, MI.

Soil in Port Huron, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48061 is Rousseau — fine sand, well drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rousseau fine 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 48061; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Port Huron, MI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights122nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,898base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 21 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)

Precipitation34.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall36 inper year; 50 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: Port Huron, MI (within 1 mile); precipitation: Port Huron, MI (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

7 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

480606b

Port Huron, MI · 2 mi

480406a

Marysville, MI · 5 mi

480746a

Smiths Creek, MI · 7 mi

480596a

Fort Gratiot, MI · 9 mi

480496a

North Street, MI · 9 mi

480796a

Saint Clair, MI · 10 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Port Huron → · Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48061

What planting zone is ZIP code 48061?

ZIP code 48061 (Port Huron, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Port Huron, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48061 is April 19; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Port Huron station.

When is the first frost in Port Huron, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48061 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48061?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48061 get?

About 34.9 inches of precipitation a year and 36 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Port Huron station).

How hot do summers get in Port Huron, MI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48061 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rousseau at the center of ZIP 48061: fine sand, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Port Huron, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48061 came on Apr 11 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Port Huron, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48061 is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 48061 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 48061 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.