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

Planting zone for 49616 — Benzonia, MI

ZIP code 49616 (Benzonia, Benzie County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 49616 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostMay 7
First frostOct 20
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Benzonia, 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 Benzonia, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Beulah 7ssw, MI — 4 miles away, elevation 774 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 49616

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 49616 came on Apr 16 — about the same time as 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 6b in Michigan

582 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. 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 221

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 175

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 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °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 Benzonia, MI.

Soil in Benzonia, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49616 is Brethren — sand, moderately well drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brethren sand, 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 49616; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Benzonia, MI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights146nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,321base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 34 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 49 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37.5 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 29 °F, low 17 °F 29°17° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 17 °F 31°17° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 58 °F 78°58° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 52 °F 71°52° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 41 °F 58°41° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 32 °F 45°32° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 23 °F 34°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 1.92 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 2.20 in precipitation 2.2 MarApril: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 MayJune: 3.26 in precipitation 3.3 JunJuly: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 JulAugust: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 3.62 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Beulah 7ssw, MI (4 mi away); precipitation: Benzonia 5.3 S, MI (3 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.

496176a
Beulah, MI · 5 mi
496356b
Frankfort, MI · 6 mi
496286b
Elberta, MI · 8 mi
496136b
Arcadia, MI · 8 mi
496836a
Thompsonville, MI · 8 mi
496146a
Bear Lake, MI · 9 mi
496406b
Honor, MI · 10 mi
496436a
Interlochen, MI · 14 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49616

What planting zone is ZIP code 49616?

ZIP code 49616 (Benzonia, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Benzonia, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49616 is May 7; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beulah 7ssw station.

When is the first frost in Benzonia, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49616 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49616?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49616 get?

About 37.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Benzonia 5.3 S station).

How hot do summers get in Benzonia, MI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49616 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brethren at the center of ZIP 49616: sand, moderately well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Benzonia, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49616 came on Apr 16 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Benzonia, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49616 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49616 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49616 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.