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

Planting zone for 48415 — Birch Run, MI

ZIP code 48415 (Birch Run, Saginaw County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 48415 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 3
First frostOct 12
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 Birch Run, 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 Birch Run, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Frankenmuth 1se, MI — 6 miles away, elevation 637 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 48415

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31
BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
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 3) 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 48415 came on Apr 10 — about the same time as 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 Birch Run, MI.

Soil in Birch Run, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48415 is Pipestone — sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4.39%moderate
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pipestone sand, Erie-Huron Lake Plain, 0 to 3 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 48415; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Birch Run, MI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,439base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 24 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 58 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation34 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall41 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 15 °F 29°15° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 15 °F 32°15° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 40 °F 60°40° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 30 °F 46°30° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 22 °F 35°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.25 in precipitation, 11.4 in snowfall 2.3❄11 JanFebruary: 1.94 in precipitation, 9.1 in snowfall 1.9❄9 FebMarch: 2.00 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 2.0❄5 MarApril: 3.61 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 3.6❄1 AprMay: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 JunJuly: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 3.49 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 2.68 in precipitation 2.7 SepOctober: 2.93 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 2.9 OctNovember: 2.62 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 2.6❄2 NovDecember: 2.03 in precipitation, 11.4 in snowfall 2.0❄11 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Frankenmuth 1se, MI (6 mi away); precipitation: Saginaw #3, MI (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

487876a
Frankenmuth, MI · 5 mi
487226a
Bridgeport, MI · 5 mi
487346a
Frankenmuth, MI · 7 mi
484176a
Burt, MI · 7 mi
484576a
Montrose, MI · 7 mi
484206a
Clio, MI · 8 mi
486016a
Saginaw, MI · 9 mi
487586a
Richville, MI · 11 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48415

What planting zone is ZIP code 48415?

ZIP code 48415 (Birch Run, 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 Birch Run, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48415 is May 3; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Frankenmuth 1se station.

When is the first frost in Birch Run, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48415 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48415?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48415 get?

About 34 inches of precipitation a year and 41 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saginaw #3 station).

How hot do summers get in Birch Run, MI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48415 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pipestone at the center of ZIP 48415: sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Birch Run, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48415 came on Apr 10 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Birch Run, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48415 is 15 h 24 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).