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

Planting zone for 49680 — South Boardman, MI

ZIP code 49680 (South Boardman, Kalkaska 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 4.

Where ZIP 49680 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 4
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 South Boardman, 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 South Boardman, 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 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 17
Growing season133 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 10 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station S Boardman 2w, MI — 4 miles away, elevation 1,047 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 49680

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 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 49680 came on Apr 16 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

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.

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 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 212

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 170

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 South Boardman, MI.

Soil in South Boardman, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49680 is Islandlake — moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter80%high
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Islandlake 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 49680; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in South Boardman, MI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, February
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights169nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,150base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 34 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 48 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

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 27 °F, low 13 °F 27°13° JanFebruary: average high 30 °F, low 12 °F 30°12° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 19 °F 41°19° MarApril: average high 54 °F, low 31 °F 54°31° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° AugSeptember: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 38 °F 57°38° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 29 °F 44°29° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 19 °F 32°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.00 in precipitation, 38.3 in snowfall 2.0❄38 JanFebruary: 1.50 in precipitation, 24.8 in snowfall 1.5❄25 FebMarch: 1.71 in precipitation, 13.7 in snowfall 1.7❄14 MarApril: 2.91 in precipitation, 6.8 in snowfall 2.9❄7 AprMay: 3.28 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.3❄1 MayJune: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 JunJuly: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 2.98 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 4.15 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 4.2❄1 OctNovember: 2.93 in precipitation, 17.1 in snowfall 2.9❄17 NovDecember: 2.16 in precipitation, 29.7 in snowfall 2.2❄30 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: S Boardman 2w, MI (4 mi away); precipitation: Kalkaska, MI (6 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.

496335b
Fife Lake, MI · 7 mi
496465a
Kalkaska, MI · 11 mi
496906a
Williamsburg, MI · 12 mi
496965b
Traverse City, MI · 12 mi
496766a
Rapid City, MI · 14 mi
496125b
Alden, MI · 15 mi
496106a
Acme, MI · 16 mi
496635b
Manton, MI · 17 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49680

What planting zone is ZIP code 49680?

ZIP code 49680 (South Boardman, 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 South Boardman, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49680 is May 24; after June 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, S Boardman 2w station.

When is the first frost in South Boardman, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49680 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 133 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49680?

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 49680 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 South Boardman, MI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49680 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Islandlake at the center of ZIP 49680: moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in South Boardman, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49680 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in South Boardman, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49680 is 15 h 34 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49680 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49680 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.