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

Planting zone for 49612 — Alden, MI

ZIP code 49612 (Alden, Antrim County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 49612 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 24

First frostOct 1

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 Alden, 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 Alden, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season128 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 10 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Kalkaska, MI — 10 miles away, elevation 1,037 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 49612

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21

BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

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 24) 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 49612 came on Apr 18 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

average
Apr 212026
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.

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 Alden, MI.

Soil in Alden, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49612 is Kalkaska — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kalkaska-Blue Lake sands, 18 to 35 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 49612; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alden, MI

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, February

Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights179nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,946base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall132 inper year; 120 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

496766a

Rapid City, MI · 4 mi

496155b

Bellaire, MI · 7 mi

496296a

Elk Rapids, MI · 9 mi

496595a

Mancelona, MI · 10 mi

496906a

Williamsburg, MI · 10 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49612

What planting zone is ZIP code 49612?

ZIP code 49612 (Alden, 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 Alden, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49612 is May 24; after June 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kalkaska station.

When is the first frost in Alden, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49612 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 128 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49612?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49612 get?

About 33.7 inches of precipitation a year and 132 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kalkaska station).

How hot do summers get in Alden, MI?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49612 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kalkaska at the center of ZIP 49612: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

Did spring come early in Alden, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49612 came on Apr 18 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alden, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49612 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49612 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49612 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.