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

Planting zone for 49284 — Springport, MI

ZIP code 49284 (Springport, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 49284 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 30
First frostOct 14
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 Springport, 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 Springport, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season165 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Eaton Rapids, MI — 9 miles away, elevation 869 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 49284

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 49284 came on Mar 30 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

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

Shrubs 105

Wildflowers & perennials 220

Grasses 174

Vines 8

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 Springport, MI.

Soil in Springport, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49284 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 49284; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Springport, MI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,678base 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)
Precipitation36.3 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 31 °F, low 16 °F 31°16° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 16 °F 34°16° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 25 °F 45°25° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 40 °F 61°40° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 30 °F 47°30° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 23 °F 36°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.28 in precipitation 2.3 JanFebruary: 1.83 in precipitation 1.8 FebMarch: 2.25 in precipitation 2.3 MarApril: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.01 in precipitation 2.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Eaton Rapids, MI (9 mi away); precipitation: Eaton Rapids, MI (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49284

What planting zone is ZIP code 49284?

ZIP code 49284 (Springport, 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 Springport, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49284 is April 30; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eaton Rapids station.

When is the first frost in Springport, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49284 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 165 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49284?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49284 get?

About 36.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eaton Rapids station).

How hot do summers get in Springport, MI?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49284 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hillsdale at the center of ZIP 49284: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Springport, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49284 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Springport, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49284 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).