Planting zone for 48139 — Hamburg, MI
ZIP code 48139 (Hamburg, Livingston County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 13.
Where ZIP 48139 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →
Frost forecast — next 7 nights
live from the National Weather ServiceLoading the forecast for Hamburg, 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 Hamburg, MI
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 26.
From the NOAA station Whitmore Lake 1nw, MI — 2 miles away, elevation 906 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 48139
Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 48139 came on Apr 1 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).
Apr 102026
Apr 1
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
Shrubs 105
Wildflowers & perennials 220
Grasses 174
Vines 8
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 Hamburg, MI.
Soil in Hamburg, MI
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48139 is Gilford — sandy loam, poorly drained.
Map unit: Gilford sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, gravelly subsoil.
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 48139; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Hamburg, MI
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Whitmore Lake 1nw, MI (2 mi away); precipitation: Whitmore Lake 1nw, MI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.
Questions about 48139
What planting zone is ZIP code 48139?
ZIP code 48139 (Hamburg, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).
When is the last frost in Hamburg, MI?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48139 is May 5; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whitmore Lake 1nw station.
When is the first frost in Hamburg, MI?
The median first fall frost near 48139 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 48139?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 48139 get?
About 34.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Whitmore Lake 1nw station).
How hot do summers get in Hamburg, MI?
The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 48139 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Gilford at the center of ZIP 48139: sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).
Did spring come early in Hamburg, MI in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 48139 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Hamburg, MI?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 48139 is 15 h 18 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).