Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 49712 — Boyne City, MI

ZIP code 49712 (Boyne City, Charlevoix County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 49712 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 23

First frostOct 3

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 Boyne City, 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 Boyne City, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season133 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Boyne Falls, MI — 6 miles away, elevation 728 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 49712

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 11 – May 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20

BeansSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 23) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 49712 came on Apr 18 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
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 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.

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 Boyne City, MI.

Soil in Boyne City, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49712 is Kalkaska — slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kalkaska 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 49712; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Boyne City, MI

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, February

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,556base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 39 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation36.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall112 inper year; 108 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Boyne Falls, MI (6 mi away); precipitation: Boyne Falls, 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.

497965b

Walloon Lake, MI · 5 mi

497275b

East Jordan, MI · 7 mi

497135a

Boyne Falls, MI · 8 mi

497705b

Petoskey, MI · 10 mi

497116a

Bay Shore, MI · 11 mi

497206a

Charlevoix, MI · 12 mi

497305a

Elmira, MI · 14 mi

497295b

Ellsworth, MI · 14 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49712

What planting zone is ZIP code 49712?

ZIP code 49712 (Boyne City, 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 Boyne City, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49712 is May 23; after June 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boyne Falls station.

When is the first frost in Boyne City, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49712 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 133 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49712?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 28 – Apr 11 and set transplants outside around May 30 – Jun 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49712 get?

About 36.2 inches of precipitation a year and 112 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Boyne Falls station).

How hot do summers get in Boyne City, MI?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49712 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kalkaska at the center of ZIP 49712: slightly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

Did spring come early in Boyne City, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49712 came on Apr 18 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Boyne City, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49712 is 15 h 39 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49712 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49712 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.