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

Planting zone for 49630 — Empire, MI

ZIP code 49630 (Empire, Leelanau County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 49630 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 22
First frostOct 9
2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Empire, 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 Empire, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 25
Growing season140 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 9 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Maple City 1e, MI — 11 miles away, elevation 801 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 49630

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 10 – May 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19
BeansSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 49630 came on Apr 16 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

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 Empire, MI.

Soil in Empire, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49630 is Kaleva — sand, excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kaleva sand, 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 49630; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Empire, MI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights154nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,208base 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)
Precipitation35.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall143 inper year; 114 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 16 °F 29°16° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 16 °F 31°16° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° MarApril: average high 53 °F, low 31 °F 53°31° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 52 °F 76°52° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 50 °F 71°50° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 40 °F 58°40° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 30 °F 45°30° NovDecember: average high 34 °F, low 22 °F 34°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.76 in precipitation, 44.5 in snowfall 2.8❄45 JanFebruary: 1.89 in precipitation, 27.5 in snowfall 1.9❄28 FebMarch: 1.97 in precipitation, 14.3 in snowfall 2.0❄14 MarApril: 2.92 in precipitation, 6.4 in snowfall 2.9❄6 AprMay: 3.09 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.1 MayJune: 2.94 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 JulAugust: 2.94 in precipitation 2.9 AugSeptember: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 SepOctober: 4.46 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 4.5❄1 OctNovember: 3.24 in precipitation, 13.9 in snowfall 3.2❄14 NovDecember: 2.67 in precipitation, 36 in snowfall 2.7❄36 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Maple City 1e, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Maple City 1e, MI (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

496366b
Glen Arbor, MI · 5 mi
496646b
Maple City, MI · 8 mi
496406b
Honor, MI · 8 mi
496506a
Lake Ann, MI · 10 mi
496546b
Leland, MI · 12 mi
496216b
Cedar, MI · 14 mi
496176a
Beulah, MI · 14 mi
496356b
Frankfort, MI · 17 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49630

What planting zone is ZIP code 49630?

ZIP code 49630 (Empire, 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 Empire, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49630 is May 22; after June 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Maple City 1e station.

When is the first frost in Empire, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49630 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 140 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49630?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 27 – Apr 10 and set transplants outside around May 29 – Jun 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49630 get?

About 35.7 inches of precipitation a year and 143 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Maple City 1e station).

How hot do summers get in Empire, MI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49630 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kaleva at the center of ZIP 49630: sand, excessively drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Empire, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49630 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Empire, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49630 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).