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

Planting zone for 49689 — Wellston, MI

ZIP code 49689 (Wellston, Manistee County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 49689 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 28
First frostSep 25
2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Wellston, 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 Wellston, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 8
Growing season119 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 18 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Wellston 1n, MI — 2 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 49689

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 16 – May 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 28) and first fall frost (Sep 25) 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 49689 came on Apr 14 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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 Wellston, MI.

Soil in Wellston, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49689 is Shavenaugh — sand, well drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Shavenaugh 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 49689; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wellston, MI

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,054base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 52 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation38 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall120 inper year; 104 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 28 °F, low 12 °F 28°12° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 12 °F 31°12° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 19 °F 41°19° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 29 °F 55°29° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 50 °F 77°50° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 46 °F 72°46° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 26 °F 44°26° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 18 °F 33°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.90 in precipitation, 38.1 in snowfall 2.9❄38 JanFebruary: 1.99 in precipitation, 24.2 in snowfall 2.0❄24 FebMarch: 2.27 in precipitation, 10.8 in snowfall 2.3❄11 MarApril: 3.72 in precipitation, 3.9 in snowfall 3.7❄4 AprMay: 3.62 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.6 MayJune: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 JunJuly: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 AugSeptember: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 4.20 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.2 OctNovember: 3.57 in precipitation, 10.5 in snowfall 3.6❄11 NovDecember: 2.65 in precipitation, 31.8 in snowfall 2.6❄32 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Wellston 1n, MI (2 mi away); precipitation: Wellston 1n, MI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

496445b
Irons, MI · 7 mi
496195b
Brethren, MI · 7 mi
496385b
Harrietta, MI · 9 mi
496456a
Kaleva, MI · 12 mi
496606b
Manistee, MI · 15 mi
496565a
Luther, MI · 15 mi
496255b
Copemish, MI · 16 mi
496685b
Mesick, MI · 16 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49689

What planting zone is ZIP code 49689?

ZIP code 49689 (Wellston, 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 Wellston, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49689 is May 28; after June 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wellston 1n station.

When is the first frost in Wellston, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49689 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 119 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49689?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 2 – Apr 16 and set transplants outside around Jun 4 – Jun 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49689 get?

About 38 inches of precipitation a year and 120 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wellston 1n station).

How hot do summers get in Wellston, MI?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49689 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shavenaugh at the center of ZIP 49689: sand, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wellston, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49689 came on Apr 14 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wellston, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49689 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).