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

Planting zone for 48813 — Charlotte, MI

ZIP code 48813 (Charlotte, Eaton County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 48813 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 1

First frostOct 15

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 Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Charlotte, MI — 2 miles away, elevation 902 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 48813

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29

BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 48813 came on Mar 30 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

average
Apr 112026
Mar 30

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 Charlotte, MI.

Soil in Charlotte, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48813 is Parkhill — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4.7%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Parkhill loam, non dense till subsoil, 0 to 2 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 48813; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Charlotte, MI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights149nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,543base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 03 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall38 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

489086a

Lansing, MI · 2 mi

488766a

Potterville, MI · 8 mi

490966a

Vermontville, MI · 9 mi

490766a

Olivet, MI · 10 mi

488276a

Eaton Rapids, MI · 10 mi

488216a

Dimondale, MI · 11 mi

488616a

Mulliken, MI · 11 mi

488376a

Grand Ledge, MI · 13 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48813

What planting zone is ZIP code 48813?

ZIP code 48813 (Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48813 is May 1; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Charlotte station.

When is the first frost in Charlotte, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48813 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48813?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48813 get?

About 35.8 inches of precipitation a year and 38 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Charlotte station).

How hot do summers get in Charlotte, MI?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48813 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Parkhill at the center of ZIP 48813: loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Charlotte, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48813 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Charlotte, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48813 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 48813 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 48813 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.