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

Planting zone for 49601 — Cadillac, MI

ZIP code 49601 (Cadillac, Wexford County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 49601 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 15
First frostOct 1
2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cadillac, 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 Cadillac, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 18
Growing season139 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Cadillac 9&10 News, MI — 7 miles away, elevation 1,362 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 49601

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
TomatoesTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
BeansSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 49601 came on Apr 16 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

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 5a in Michigan

551 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 54

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 207

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 166

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 Cadillac, MI.

Soil in Cadillac, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49601 is Au Gres — sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Au Gres-Finch sands, 0 to 4 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 49601; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cadillac, MI

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,124base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 51 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 27 °F, low 11 °F 27°11° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 11 °F 31°11° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 18 °F 40°18° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 30 °F 53°30° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 28 °F 43°28° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 19 °F 32°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.41 in precipitation 2.4 JanFebruary: 2.18 in precipitation 2.2 FebMarch: 2.38 in precipitation 2.4 MarApril: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 JunJuly: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 JulAugust: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 2.96 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 2.35 in precipitation 2.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cadillac 9&10 News, MI (7 mi away); precipitation: Cadillac 9&10 News, MI (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

496185a
Boon, MI · 5 mi
496885a
Tustin, MI · 9 mi
496385b
Harrietta, MI · 11 mi
496685b
Mesick, MI · 14 mi
496635b
Manton, MI · 14 mi
496565a
Luther, MI · 15 mi
496555a
Leroy, MI · 16 mi
496895b
Wellston, MI · 18 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49601

What planting zone is ZIP code 49601?

ZIP code 49601 (Cadillac, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Cadillac, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49601 is May 15; after May 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cadillac 9&10 News station.

When is the first frost in Cadillac, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49601 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 139 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49601?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 20 – Apr 3 and set transplants outside around May 22 – Jun 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49601 get?

About 37.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cadillac 9&10 News station).

How hot do summers get in Cadillac, MI?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49601 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Au Gres at the center of ZIP 49601: sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cadillac, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49601 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cadillac, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49601 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).