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

Planting zone for 48222 — Detroit, MI

ZIP code 48222 (Detroit, Wayne County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 48222 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 frostMay 1
First frostOct 15
2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Detroit, 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 Detroit, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season166 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Dearborn, MI — 7 miles away, elevation 604 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 48222

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29
BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 48222 came on Mar 26 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

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 Detroit, MI.

Soil in Detroit, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48222 is Rapson — sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter6.67%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rapson-Urban land-Colwood complex, dense substratum, 0 to 4 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 48222; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Detroit, MI

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights136nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,901base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 16 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)
Precipitation37.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall54 inper year; 57 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 18 °F 32°18° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 19 °F 35°19° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 42 °F 62°42° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 32 °F 48°32° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 24 °F 37°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.51 in precipitation, 13.9 in snowfall 2.5❄14 JanFebruary: 2.15 in precipitation, 17 in snowfall 2.1❄17 FebMarch: 2.67 in precipitation, 7.5 in snowfall 2.7❄8 MarApril: 3.36 in precipitation, 1.9 in snowfall 3.4❄2 AprMay: 4.14 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.1 MayJune: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 JunJuly: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 2.84 in precipitation 2.8 OctNovember: 2.75 in precipitation, 2.2 in snowfall 2.8❄2 NovDecember: 2.52 in precipitation, 10.9 in snowfall 2.5❄11 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dearborn, MI (7 mi away); precipitation: Wyandotte, MI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

481216b
Dearborn, MI · <1 mi
481236b
Dearborn, MI · <1 mi
481366b
Garden City, MI · <1 mi
482446b
Detroit, MI · <1 mi
482606b
Detroit, MI · <1 mi
482656b
Detroit, MI · <1 mi
482666b
Detroit, MI · <1 mi
482776b
Detroit, MI · <1 mi

All 46 ZIP codes in Detroit → · Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48222

What planting zone is ZIP code 48222?

ZIP code 48222 (Detroit, 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 Detroit, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48222 is May 1; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dearborn station.

When is the first frost in Detroit, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48222 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 166 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48222?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48222 get?

About 37.4 inches of precipitation a year and 54 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wyandotte station).

How hot do summers get in Detroit, MI?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48222 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rapson at the center of ZIP 48222: sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Detroit, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48222 came on Mar 26 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Detroit, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48222 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).