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

Planting zone for 49717 — Burt Lake, MI

ZIP code 49717 (Burt Lake, Cheboygan County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost September 18.

Where ZIP 49717 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 31
First frostSep 18
2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Burt Lake, 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 Burt Lake, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 18median — 10% chance by Sep 2
Growing season108 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 19 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Pellston Regional Airport, MI — 11 miles away, elevation 705 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 49717

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 10 – May 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 10 – May 24
LettuceSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 14 – Jun 28
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 7 – Jun 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 24 – Aug 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 4 – Oct 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 31) and first fall frost (Sep 18) 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 49717 came on Apr 22 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

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 5a in Michigan

551 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 54

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 207

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 166

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 Burt Lake, MI.

Soil in Burt Lake, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49717 is Battlefield — sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Battlefield sand, 0 to 3 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 49717; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Burt Lake, MI

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, February
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights180nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,796base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 43 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation30 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 27 °F, low 9 °F 27°9° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 7 °F 29°7° FebMarch: average high 39 °F, low 16 °F 39°16° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 27 °F 52°27° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 38 °F 66°38° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 48 °F 76°48° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° SepOctober: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° OctNovember: average high 44 °F, low 27 °F 44°27° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 18 °F 33°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.61 in precipitation 1.6 JanFebruary: 1.14 in precipitation 1.1 FebMarch: 1.74 in precipitation 1.7 MarApril: 2.44 in precipitation 2.4 AprMay: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 MayJune: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 JunJuly: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 JulAugust: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 AugSeptember: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 1.89 in precipitation 1.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pellston Regional Airport, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Pellston Regional Airport, MI (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

497065a
Alanson, MI · 5 mi
497494b
Indian River, MI · 5 mi
497914b
Topinabee, MI · 6 mi
497164b
Brutus, MI · 7 mi
497645a
Oden, MI · 7 mi
497225b
Conway, MI · 9 mi
497705b
Petoskey, MI · 12 mi
497054b
Afton, MI · 12 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49717

What planting zone is ZIP code 49717?

ZIP code 49717 (Burt Lake, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Burt Lake, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49717 is May 31; after June 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pellston Regional Airport station.

When is the first frost in Burt Lake, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49717 is September 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 108 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49717?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 5 – Apr 19 and set transplants outside around Jun 7 – Jun 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49717 get?

About 30 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pellston Regional Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Burt Lake, MI?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49717 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Battlefield at the center of ZIP 49717: sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Burt Lake, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49717 came on Apr 22 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Burt Lake, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49717 is 15 h 40 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).