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

Planting zone for 48353 — Hartland, MI

ZIP code 48353 (Hartland, Livingston County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 48353 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 6
First frostOct 12
2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hartland, 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 Hartland, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season157 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Milford Gm Proving Ground, MI — 5 miles away, elevation 971 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 48353

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 48353 came on Apr 4 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 Hartland, MI.

Soil in Hartland, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48353 is Fox — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Fox-Boyer complex, 2 to 6 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 48353; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hartland, MI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,617base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 19 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 02 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation34.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 31 °F, low 15 °F 31°15° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 15 °F 34°15° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 24 °F 45°24° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 40 °F 61°40° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 30 °F 47°30° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 21 °F 36°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.06 in precipitation 2.1 JanFebruary: 1.91 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 2.16 in precipitation 2.2 MarApril: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 JunJuly: 3.20 in precipitation 3.2 JulAugust: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.10 in precipitation 2.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Milford Gm Proving Ground, MI (5 mi away); precipitation: Milford Gm Proving Ground, MI (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

483576a
Highland, MI · 4 mi
483806a
Milford, MI · 5 mi
481146a
Brighton, MI · 6 mi
483566a
Highland, MI · 6 mi
484306a
Fenton, MI · 8 mi
483816a
Milford, MI · 9 mi
488556a
Howell, MI · 10 mi
483836a
White Lake, MI · 10 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48353

What planting zone is ZIP code 48353?

ZIP code 48353 (Hartland, 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 Hartland, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48353 is May 6; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Milford Gm Proving Ground station.

When is the first frost in Hartland, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48353 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 157 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48353?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48353 get?

About 34.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Milford Gm Proving Ground station).

How hot do summers get in Hartland, MI?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48353 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fox at the center of ZIP 48353: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hartland, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48353 came on Apr 4 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hartland, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48353 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 48353 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 48353 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.