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

Planting zone for 48359 — Lake Orion, MI

ZIP code 48359 (Lake Orion, Oakland County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 48359 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 26

First frostOct 22

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 Lake Orion, 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 Lake Orion, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Pontiac Wwtp, MI — 6 miles away, elevation 889 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 48359

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 48359 came on Apr 5 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

average
Apr 112026
Apr 5

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 Lake Orion, MI.

Soil in Lake Orion, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48359 is Houghton — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter82.5%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Houghton and Adrian mucks.

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 48359; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake Orion, MI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,869base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 20 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)

Precipitation33.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall36 inper year; 62 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: Pontiac Wwtp, MI (6 mi away); precipitation: Pontiac Wwtp, MI (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

483606a

Lake Orion, MI · 2 mi

483266a

Auburn Hills, MI · 3 mi

483406a

Pontiac, MI · 3 mi

483626a

Lake Orion, MI · 4 mi

483616a

Lake Orion, MI · 5 mi

483426a

Pontiac, MI · 5 mi

483306a

Drayton Plains, MI · 5 mi

483436a

Pontiac, MI · 6 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Lake Orion → · Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48359

What planting zone is ZIP code 48359?

ZIP code 48359 (Lake Orion, 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 Lake Orion, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48359 is April 26; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pontiac Wwtp station.

When is the first frost in Lake Orion, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48359 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48359?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48359 get?

About 33.9 inches of precipitation a year and 36 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pontiac Wwtp station).

How hot do summers get in Lake Orion, MI?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48359 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Houghton at the center of ZIP 48359: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Lake Orion, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48359 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lake Orion, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48359 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).