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

Planting zone for 49321 — Comstock Park, MI

ZIP code 49321 (Comstock Park, Kent County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 49321 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 14
First frostSep 29
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 Comstock Park, 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 Comstock Park, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Kent City 2 Sw, MI — 10 miles away, elevation 840 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 49321

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 49321 came on Apr 1 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 Comstock Park, MI.

Soil in Comstock Park, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49321 is Oakville — fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of unique importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Oakville fine sand, cool, 0 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 49321; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Comstock Park, MI

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,454base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 22 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation38.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall48 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 14 °F 32°14° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 14 °F 35°14° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 22 °F 45°22° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 32 °F 58°32° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 44 °F 70°44° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 57 °F 83°57° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 48 °F 75°48° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 29 °F 47°29° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 21 °F 36°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.65 in precipitation, 13.9 in snowfall 2.6❄14 JanFebruary: 1.84 in precipitation, 7.7 in snowfall 1.8❄8 FebMarch: 2.59 in precipitation, 5.7 in snowfall 2.6❄6 MarApril: 3.82 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 3.8❄1 AprMay: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 JulAugust: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 4.06 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 4.1 OctNovember: 3.46 in precipitation, 4.2 in snowfall 3.5❄4 NovDecember: 2.50 in precipitation, 15 in snowfall 2.5❄15 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kent City 2 Sw, MI (10 mi away); precipitation: Kent City 2 Sw, MI (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49321

What planting zone is ZIP code 49321?

ZIP code 49321 (Comstock Park, 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 Comstock Park, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49321 is May 14; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kent City 2 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Comstock Park, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49321 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49321?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49321 get?

About 38.5 inches of precipitation a year and 48 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kent City 2 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Comstock Park, MI?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49321 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Oakville at the center of ZIP 49321: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Comstock Park, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49321 came on Apr 1 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Comstock Park, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49321 is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49321 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49321 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.