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

Planting zone for 49401 — Allendale, MI

ZIP code 49401 (Allendale, Ottawa 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 24.

Where ZIP 49401 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 24
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 Allendale, 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 Allendale, 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 24median — 10% chance by Oct 5
Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Grand Haven Wwtp, MI — 14 miles away, elevation 604 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 49401

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 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 49401 came on Mar 30 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 11).

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

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 105

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 220

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 174

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 8

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 creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °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 Allendale, MI.

Soil in Allendale, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49401 is Lacota — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Lacota silt loam.

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 49401; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Allendale, MI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights134nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,562base 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)
Precipitation42.7 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 32 °F, low 19 °F 32°19° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 20 °F 33°20° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 26 °F 42°26° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 36 °F 55°36° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 47 °F 67°47° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 57 °F 76°57° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 62 °F 80°62° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 60 °F 79°60° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 53 °F 73°53° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 43 °F 60°43° OctNovember: average high 47 °F, low 33 °F 47°33° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 25 °F 37°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 2.40 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 2.63 in precipitation 2.6 MarApril: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 AprMay: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.30 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.57 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Grand Haven Wwtp, MI (14 mi away); precipitation: Grandville 1.3 Wsw, MI (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

494306a
Lamont, MI · 4 mi
494046a
Coopersville, MI · 6 mi
494356a
Marne, MI · 7 mi
494286a
Jenison, MI · 7 mi
494266a
Hudsonville, MI · 9 mi
495346a
Grand Rapids, MI · 9 mi
494646a
Zeeland, MI · 9 mi
494296a
Jenison, MI · 10 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49401

What planting zone is ZIP code 49401?

ZIP code 49401 (Allendale, 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 Allendale, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49401 is April 30; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grand Haven Wwtp station.

When is the first frost in Allendale, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49401 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49401?

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 49401 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Allendale, MI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49401 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lacota at the center of ZIP 49401: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Allendale, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49401 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 Allendale, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49401 is 15 h 22 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).