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

Planting zone for 49315 — Byron Center, MI

ZIP code 49315 (Byron Center, Kent County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 49315 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 6

First frostOct 10

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 Byron Center, 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 Byron Center, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season157 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station E Grand Rapids, MI — 11 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 49315

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 6) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 49315 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 Byron Center, MI.

Soil in Byron Center, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49315 is Sebewa — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3.4%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Sebewa loam, 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 49315; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Byron Center, MI

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,590base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 20 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 01 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation42.7 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: E Grand Rapids, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Grandville 1.3 Wsw, MI (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

494186a

Grandville, MI · 5 mi

Grand Rapids, MI · 6 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49315

What planting zone is ZIP code 49315?

ZIP code 49315 (Byron Center, 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 Byron Center, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49315 is May 6; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, E Grand Rapids station.

When is the first frost in Byron Center, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49315 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 157 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49315?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49315 get?

About 42.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grandville 1.3 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Byron Center, MI?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49315 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sebewa at the center of ZIP 49315: loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Byron Center, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49315 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 Byron Center, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49315 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49315 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49315 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.