Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 48835 — Fowler, MI

ZIP code 48835 (Fowler, Clinton County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 48835 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 frostApr 28

First frostOct 24

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fowler, 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 Fowler, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Saint Johns, MI — 10 miles away, elevation 745 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 48835

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26

BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 48835 came on Apr 2 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

average
Apr 122026
Apr 2

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 Fowler, MI.

Soil in Fowler, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 48835 is Sims — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Sims silty 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 48835; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fowler, MI

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights144nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,891base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation34 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Saint Johns, MI (10 mi away); precipitation: Saint Johns, MI (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

488736a

Pewamo, MI · 4 mi

488536a

Maple Rapids, MI · 6 mi

488946a

Westphalia, MI · 7 mi

488456a

Hubbardston, MI · 8 mi

488796a

Saint Johns, MI · 9 mi

488606a

Muir, MI · 9 mi

488716a

Perrinton, MI · 10 mi

488516a

Lyons, MI · 11 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 48835

What planting zone is ZIP code 48835?

ZIP code 48835 (Fowler, 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 Fowler, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 48835 is April 28; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saint Johns station.

When is the first frost in Fowler, MI?

The median first fall frost near 48835 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 48835?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 48835 get?

About 34 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saint Johns station).

How hot do summers get in Fowler, MI?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 48835 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sims at the center of ZIP 48835: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Fowler, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 48835 came on Apr 2 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fowler, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 48835 is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).