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

Planting zone for 48705 — Barton City, MI

ZIP code 48705 (Barton City, Alcona County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 48705 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 frostMay 19
First frostSep 29
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 Barton City, 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 Barton City, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 16
Growing season133 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 4 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Glennie 2se, MI — 11 miles away, elevation 896 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 48705

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 28
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16
BeansSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 26 – Jun 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 19) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 48705 came on Apr 17 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

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 Barton City, MI.

Soil in Barton City, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48705 is Alfic Haplorthods — sand, well drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alfic Haplorthods, sandy over loamy-Alfic Haplorthods, sandy complex, rolling.

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 48705; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Barton City, MI

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low8 °Faverage low, February
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights184nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,840base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 48 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation31.7 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 27 °F, low 9 °F 27°9° JanFebruary: average high 30 °F, low 8 °F 30°8° FebMarch: average high 39 °F, low 17 °F 39°17° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 28 °F 53°28° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 25 °F 43°25° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 1.72 in precipitation, 10.5 in snowfall 1.7❄11 JanFebruary: 1.28 in precipitation, 12.7 in snowfall 1.3❄13 FebMarch: 1.87 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 1.9❄5 MarApril: 2.89 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 2.9❄3 AprMay: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 JunJuly: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 2.75 in precipitation 2.8 SepOctober: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 2.10 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 2.1❄2 NovDecember: 2.28 in precipitation, 8.2 in snowfall 2.3❄8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Glennie 2se, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Glennie 2se, MI (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

487285a
Curran, MI · 9 mi
497475a
Hubbard Lake, MI · 10 mi
487375a
Glennie, MI · 10 mi
487425b
Lincoln, MI · 10 mi
487625b
Spruce, MI · 11 mi
487455b
Mikado, MI · 12 mi
487405b
Harrisville, MI · 14 mi
487615a
South Branch, MI · 17 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48705

What planting zone is ZIP code 48705?

ZIP code 48705 (Barton City, 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 Barton City, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48705 is May 19; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glennie 2se station.

When is the first frost in Barton City, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48705 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 133 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48705?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 24 – Apr 7 and set transplants outside around May 26 – Jun 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48705 get?

About 31.7 inches of precipitation a year and 41 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glennie 2se station).

How hot do summers get in Barton City, MI?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48705 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alfic Haplorthods at the center of ZIP 48705: sand, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Barton City, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48705 came on Apr 17 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Barton City, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48705 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).