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

Planting zone for 49320 — Chippewa Lake, MI

ZIP code 49320 (Chippewa Lake, Mecosta County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 49320 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 13
First frostOct 2
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chippewa Lake, 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 Chippewa Lake, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 18
Growing season142 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Big Rapids Wtp, MI — 11 miles away, elevation 899 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 49320

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10
BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 49320 came on Apr 15 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

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 5b in Michigan

564 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 103

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 212

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 170

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 7

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 honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Chippewa Lake, MI.

Soil in Chippewa Lake, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49320 is Metea — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Metea-Coloma loamy sand, 6 to 18 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 49320; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chippewa Lake, MI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, February
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights168nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,201base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 27 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 55 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall61 inper year; 84 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 28 °F, low 13 °F 28°13° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 12 °F 31°12° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 20 °F 42°20° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 31 °F 55°31° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 36 °F 58°36° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 28 °F 44°28° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 19 °F 33°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.43 in precipitation, 17.8 in snowfall 2.4❄18 JanFebruary: 1.97 in precipitation, 16 in snowfall 2.0❄16 FebMarch: 2.57 in precipitation, 7.7 in snowfall 2.6❄8 MarApril: 3.95 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 4.0❄2 AprMay: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 MayJune: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 JunJuly: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 3.76 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.8 OctNovember: 3.05 in precipitation, 3.8 in snowfall 3.0❄4 NovDecember: 2.33 in precipitation, 14.3 in snowfall 2.3❄14 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Big Rapids Wtp, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Big Rapids Wtp, MI (11 mi away). 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.

493425b
Rodney, MI · 5 mi
493055b
Barryton, MI · 7 mi
496395a
Hersey, MI · 9 mi
493325b
Mecosta, MI · 10 mi
493075b
Big Rapids, MI · 11 mi
496795a
Sears, MI · 11 mi
496315a
Evart, MI · 11 mi
493465b
Stanwood, MI · 13 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49320

What planting zone is ZIP code 49320?

ZIP code 49320 (Chippewa Lake, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Chippewa Lake, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49320 is May 13; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Rapids Wtp station.

When is the first frost in Chippewa Lake, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49320 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 142 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49320?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49320 get?

About 37.9 inches of precipitation a year and 61 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Big Rapids Wtp station).

How hot do summers get in Chippewa Lake, MI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49320 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Metea at the center of ZIP 49320: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Chippewa Lake, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49320 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chippewa Lake, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49320 is 15 h 27 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49320 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49320 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.