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

Planting zone for 49056 — Grand Junction, MI

ZIP code 49056 (Grand Junction, Van Buren County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 49056 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 7
First frostOct 11
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 Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Bloomingdale, MI — 6 miles away, elevation 735 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 49056

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 49056 came on Mar 31 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

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 Grand Junction, MI.

Soil in Grand Junction, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49056 is Pipestone — fine sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pipestone-Kingsville complex, 0 to 3 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 49056; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Grand Junction, MI

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights153nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,725base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation41.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 17 °F 32°17° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 18 °F 35°18° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 25 °F 45°25° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 31 °F 48°31° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 23 °F 37°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 FebMarch: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 MarApril: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 OctNovember: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 2.80 in precipitation 2.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bloomingdale, MI (6 mi away); precipitation: Grand Junction 1.3 Ene, MI (within 1 mile). 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.

490276a
Breedsville, MI · 3 mi
490636b
Lacota, MI · 4 mi
490266a
Bloomingdale, MI · 5 mi
494506a
Pullman, MI · 6 mi
490136a
Bangor, MI · 7 mi
490906b
South Haven, MI · 8 mi
490556a
Gobles, MI · 11 mi
494166b
Glenn, MI · 12 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49056

What planting zone is ZIP code 49056?

ZIP code 49056 (Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49056 is May 7; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bloomingdale station.

When is the first frost in Grand Junction, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49056 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49056?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49056 get?

About 41.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grand Junction 1.3 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Grand Junction, MI?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49056 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pipestone at the center of ZIP 49056: fine sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Grand Junction, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49056 came on Mar 31 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Grand Junction, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49056 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).