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

Planting zone for 49626 — Eastlake, MI

ZIP code 49626 (Eastlake, Manistee County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 49626 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 14
First frostOct 12
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 Eastlake, 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 Eastlake, 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 frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Manistee 3se, MI — 2 miles away, elevation 669 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 49626

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 17 – Aug 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 49626 came on Apr 15 — 3 days earlier than 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 Eastlake, MI.

Soil in Eastlake, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49626 is Plainfield — sand, excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Plainfield 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 49626; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Eastlake, MI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,434base 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)
Precipitation36.3 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 30 °F, low 19 °F 30°19° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 19 °F 33°19° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° 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 59 °F 78°59° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 52 °F 72°52° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 42 °F 59°42° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 33 °F 46°33° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 24 °F 35°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.20 in precipitation 2.2 JanFebruary: 1.59 in precipitation 1.6 FebMarch: 2.22 in precipitation 2.2 MarApril: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.26 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 2.68 in precipitation 2.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Manistee 3se, MI (2 mi away); precipitation: Manistee 3se, MI (2 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.

496346b
Filer City, MI · 2 mi
496606b
Manistee, MI · 4 mi
494116a
Free Soil, MI · 9 mi
496756b
Onekama, MI · 10 mi
496456a
Kaleva, MI · 16 mi
494106a
Fountain, MI · 17 mi
496146a
Bear Lake, MI · 17 mi
494316b
Ludington, MI · 20 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49626

What planting zone is ZIP code 49626?

ZIP code 49626 (Eastlake, 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 Eastlake, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49626 is May 14; after May 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manistee 3se station.

When is the first frost in Eastlake, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49626 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49626?

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 49626 get?

About 36.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manistee 3se station).

How hot do summers get in Eastlake, 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 49626 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Plainfield at the center of ZIP 49626: sand, excessively drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Eastlake, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49626 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Eastlake, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49626 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49626 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49626 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.