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

Planting zone for 48464 — Otter Lake, MI

ZIP code 48464 (Otter Lake, Lapeer County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 48464 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 4

First frostOct 13

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 Otter Lake, 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 Otter Lake, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Lapeer 2w, MI — 11 miles away, elevation 837 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 48464

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 48464 came on Apr 7 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

average
Apr 132026
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 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 Otter Lake, MI.

Soil in Otter Lake, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48464 is Selfridge — loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.6%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Selfridge loamy sand, 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 48464; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Otter Lake, MI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,681base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation33.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall49 inper year; 63 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: Lapeer 2w, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Millington 3 Se, MI (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

484356a

Fostoria, MI · 4 mi

484216a

Columbiaville, MI · 4 mi

484636a

Otisville, MI · 6 mi

487466a

Millington, MI · 7 mi

487446a

Mayville, MI · 10 mi

484616a

North Branch, MI · 11 mi

487606a

Silverwood, MI · 11 mi

484466a

Lapeer, MI · 12 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48464

What planting zone is ZIP code 48464?

ZIP code 48464 (Otter Lake, 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 Otter Lake, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48464 is May 4; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lapeer 2w station.

When is the first frost in Otter Lake, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48464 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48464?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48464 get?

About 33.6 inches of precipitation a year and 49 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Millington 3 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Otter Lake, MI?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48464 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Selfridge at the center of ZIP 48464: loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

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

Spring leaf-out near 48464 came on Apr 7 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Otter Lake, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48464 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).