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

Planting zone for 48187 — Canton, MI

ZIP code 48187 (Canton, Wayne County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 48187 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 24
First frostOct 24
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 Canton, 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 Canton, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 7
Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Detroit Willow Run Airport, MI — 7 miles away, elevation 778 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 48187

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22
BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 48187 came on Mar 27 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

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.

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 221

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 175

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 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °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 Canton, MI.

Soil in Canton, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48187 is Pewamo — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Pewamo loam.

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 48187; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Canton, MI

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights130nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,267base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation36 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 20 °F 34°20° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 21 °F 37°21° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 43 °F 64°43° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 34 °F 50°34° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 26 °F 39°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.52 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 2.01 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 2.28 in precipitation 2.3 MarApril: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 MayJune: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 2.73 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 2.28 in precipitation 2.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Detroit Willow Run Airport, MI (7 mi away); precipitation: Plymouth 5.4 W, MI (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

481886a
Canton, MI · 3 mi
481706a
Plymouth, MI · 4 mi
481856b
Westland, MI · 5 mi
481846b
Wayne, MI · 6 mi
481866b
Westland, MI · 6 mi
481686a
Northville, MI · 6 mi
481986a
Ypsilanti, MI · 6 mi
481506b
Livonia, MI · 6 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Canton → · Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48187

What planting zone is ZIP code 48187?

ZIP code 48187 (Canton, 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 Canton, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48187 is April 24; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Detroit Willow Run Airport station.

When is the first frost in Canton, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48187 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48187?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48187 get?

About 36 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plymouth 5.4 W station).

How hot do summers get in Canton, MI?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48187 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pewamo at the center of ZIP 48187: loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Canton, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48187 came on Mar 27 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Canton, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48187 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 48187 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 48187 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.