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

Planting zone for 48703 — Au Gres, MI

ZIP code 48703 (Au Gres, Arenac County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 48703 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 5
First frostOct 10
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 Au Gres, 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 Au Gres, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 26
Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Standish 4ne, MI — 12 miles away, elevation 617 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 48703

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 48703 came on Apr 17 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

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 Au Gres, MI.

Soil in Au Gres, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48703 is Wisner — clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Wisner clay loam.

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 48703; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Au Gres, MI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights164nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,253base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 30 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation30.7 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 28 °F, low 14 °F 28°14° JanFebruary: average high 30 °F, low 14 °F 30°14° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 23 °F 40°23° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 39 °F 59°39° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 30 °F 45°30° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 22 °F 34°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 1.61 in precipitation 1.6 JanFebruary: 1.43 in precipitation 1.4 FebMarch: 1.50 in precipitation 1.5 MarApril: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 JunJuly: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 JulAugust: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 SepOctober: 2.68 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 2.41 in precipitation 2.4 NovDecember: 1.58 in precipitation 1.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Standish 4ne, MI (12 mi away); precipitation: Standish 4ne, MI (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

487655b
Turner, MI · 6 mi
487665b
Twining, MI · 10 mi
487495b
Omer, MI · 11 mi
487635b
Tawas City, MI · 13 mi
486585b
Standish, MI · 14 mi
487705a
Whittemore, MI · 15 mi
487646a
Tawas City, MI · 16 mi
487485b
National City, MI · 18 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48703

What planting zone is ZIP code 48703?

ZIP code 48703 (Au Gres, 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 Au Gres, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48703 is May 5; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Standish 4ne station.

When is the first frost in Au Gres, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48703 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48703?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48703 get?

About 30.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Standish 4ne station).

How hot do summers get in Au Gres, MI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48703 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wisner at the center of ZIP 48703: clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Au Gres, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48703 came on Apr 17 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Au Gres, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48703 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 48703 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 48703 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.