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

Planting zone for 49257 — Moscow, MI

ZIP code 49257 (Moscow, Hillsdale County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 49257 is

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 3

First frostOct 12

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 Moscow, 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 Moscow, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Hillsdale, MI — 11 miles away, elevation 1,079 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 49257

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 49257 came on Mar 26 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

average
Apr 102026
Mar 26

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 Moscow, MI.

Soil in Moscow, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49257 is Hillsdale — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.2%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hillsdale-Riddles sandy loams, 1 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 49257; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Moscow, MI

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights148nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,649base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation37.7 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: Hillsdale, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Jonesville 5.9 Ene, MI (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Somerset Center, MI · 5 mi

492416a

Hanover, MI · 6 mi

492626a

North Adams, MI · 7 mi

492506a

Jonesville, MI · 7 mi

492816a

Somerset, MI · 7 mi

492336a

Cement City, MI · 7 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49257

What planting zone is ZIP code 49257?

ZIP code 49257 (Moscow, 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 Moscow, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49257 is May 3; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hillsdale station.

When is the first frost in Moscow, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49257 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49257?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49257 get?

About 37.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jonesville 5.9 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Moscow, MI?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49257 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hillsdale at the center of ZIP 49257: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Moscow, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49257 came on Mar 26 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Moscow, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49257 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49257 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49257 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.