Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 48745 — Mikado, MI

ZIP code 48745 (Mikado, Alcona County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 48745 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostMay 19

First frostSep 29

2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Mikado, 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 Mikado, 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 48745

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 48745 came on Apr 17 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

average
Apr 222026
Apr 17

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 5b in Michigan

564 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 Mikado, MI.

Soil in Mikado, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48745 is Croswell — moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Croswell 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 48745; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mikado, 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 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 49 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

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

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

487386a

Greenbush, MI · 7 mi

487405b

Harrisville, MI · 9 mi

Barton City, MI · 12 mi

487305b

East Tawas, MI · 15 mi

487625b

Spruce, MI · 16 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48745

What planting zone is ZIP code 48745?

ZIP code 48745 (Mikado, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Mikado, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48745 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 Mikado, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48745 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 133 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48745?

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 48745 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 Mikado, 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 48745 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Croswell at the center of ZIP 48745: moderately decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

Did spring come early in Mikado, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48745 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 Mikado, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48745 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).