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

Planting zone for 48140 — Ida, MI

ZIP code 48140 (Ida, Monroe County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 48140 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 27

First frostOct 21

2012 zone6a

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 Service

Loading the forecast for Ida, 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 Ida, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 6

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Dundee, MI — 6 miles away, elevation 659 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 48140

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 48140 came on Mar 26 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

average
Apr 72026
Mar 26

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 Ida, MI.

Soil in Ida, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48140 is Selfridge — loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained.

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

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Selfridge-Pewamo complex, 0 to 3 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 48140; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ida, MI

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights131nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,915base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 14 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation34.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall39 inper year; 54 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: Dundee, MI (6 mi away); precipitation: Dundee, MI (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

492706a

Petersburg, MI · 5 mi

Temperance, MI · 6 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48140

What planting zone is ZIP code 48140?

ZIP code 48140 (Ida, 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 Ida, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48140 is April 27; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dundee station.

When is the first frost in Ida, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48140 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48140?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48140 get?

About 34.8 inches of precipitation a year and 39 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dundee station).

How hot do summers get in Ida, MI?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48140 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Selfridge at the center of ZIP 48140: loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ida, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48140 came on Mar 26 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ida, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48140 is 15 h 14 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).