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

Planting zone for 48632 — Lake, MI

ZIP code 48632 (Lake, Clare County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 48632 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostApr 30
First frostOct 20
2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for 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 Lake, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season171 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Central Michigan Univ, MI — 22 miles away, elevation 794 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 48632

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 48632 came on Apr 15 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

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 5a in Michigan

551 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 54

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 103

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 207

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 166

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 7

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 honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Lake, MI.

Soil in Lake, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48632 is Menominee — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Menominee loamy sand, 0 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 48632; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake, MI

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,696base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 28 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 54 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

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 30 °F, low 16 °F 30°16° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 17 °F 32°17° FebMarch: average high 43 °F, low 24 °F 43°24° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 41 °F 60°41° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 31 °F 46°31° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 22 °F 35°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.18 in precipitation 2.2 JanFebruary: 1.75 in precipitation 1.8 FebMarch: 2.01 in precipitation 2.0 MarApril: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 JunJuly: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 SepOctober: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 2.56 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.06 in precipitation 2.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Central Michigan Univ, MI (22 mi away); precipitation: Harrison 5.2 Ese, MI (19 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

5 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

486225b
Farwell, MI · 7 mi
496795a
Sears, MI · 7 mi
486335a
Lake George, MI · 8 mi
493055b
Barryton, MI · 9 mi
488935b
Weidman, MI · 11 mi
496315a
Evart, MI · 13 mi
493205b
Chippewa Lake, MI · 15 mi
488786a
Rosebush, MI · 16 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48632

What planting zone is ZIP code 48632?

ZIP code 48632 (Lake, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Lake, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48632 is April 30; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Central Michigan Univ station.

When is the first frost in Lake, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48632 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 171 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48632?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48632 get?

About 33.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Harrison 5.2 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Lake, MI?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48632 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Menominee at the center of ZIP 48632: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Lake, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48632 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lake, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48632 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).