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

Planting zone for 48176 — Saline, MI

ZIP code 48176 (Saline, Washtenaw County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 48176 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 frostMay 2
First frostOct 11
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 Saline, 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 Saline, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 25
Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Saline 4sw, MI — within 1 mile, elevation 840 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 48176

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 48176 came on Mar 31 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

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 Saline, MI.

Soil in Saline, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48176 is Pewamo — clay loam, very poorly drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Pewamo clay loam, 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 48176; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Saline, MI

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,731base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 06 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

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 15 °F 32°15° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 16 °F 35°16° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 60 °F 85°60° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 39 °F 63°39° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 30 °F 48°30° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 21 °F 37°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.49 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 1.94 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 2.43 in precipitation 2.4 MarApril: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 JunJuly: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 2.90 in precipitation 2.9 SepOctober: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Saline 4sw, MI (within 1 mile); precipitation: Saline 4sw, MI (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

481156a
Bridgewater, MI · 5 mi
492366a
Clinton, MI · 7 mi
481086a
Ann Arbor, MI · 8 mi
481066a
Ann Arbor, MI · 8 mi
481076a
Ann Arbor, MI · 8 mi
481136a
Ann Arbor, MI · 8 mi
481606a
Milan, MI · 9 mi
481036a
Ann Arbor, MI · 9 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48176

What planting zone is ZIP code 48176?

ZIP code 48176 (Saline, 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 Saline, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48176 is May 2; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saline 4sw station.

When is the first frost in Saline, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48176 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48176?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48176 get?

About 34.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saline 4sw station).

How hot do summers get in Saline, MI?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48176 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pewamo at the center of ZIP 48176: clay loam, very poorly drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Saline, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48176 came on Mar 31 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Saline, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48176 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).