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

Planting zone for 49733 — Frederic, MI

ZIP code 49733 (Frederic, Crawford County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 49733 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 12
First frostOct 7
2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Frederic, 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 Frederic, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 24
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Gaylord 9ssw, MI — 8 miles away, elevation 1,467 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 49733

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9
BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 49733 came on Apr 18 — 5 days earlier than 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 Frederic, MI.

Soil in Frederic, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49733 is Blue Lake — sand, well drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Blue Lake loamy 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 49733; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Frederic, MI

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,014base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 35 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)
Precipitation37.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall149 inper year; 121 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 25 °F, low 12 °F 25°12° JanFebruary: average high 28 °F, low 12 °F 28°12° FebMarch: average high 38 °F, low 19 °F 38°19° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 48 °F 69°48° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° OctNovember: average high 41 °F, low 28 °F 41°28° NovDecember: average high 30 °F, low 19 °F 30°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.10 in precipitation, 36.9 in snowfall 3.1❄37 JanFebruary: 2.08 in precipitation, 29.1 in snowfall 2.1❄29 FebMarch: 2.26 in precipitation, 15.3 in snowfall 2.3❄15 MarApril: 3.25 in precipitation, 8.9 in snowfall 3.3❄9 AprMay: 3.29 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 3.3❄1 MayJune: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 JunJuly: 2.86 in precipitation 2.9 JulAugust: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 4.15 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 4.2❄3 OctNovember: 3.37 in precipitation, 16.5 in snowfall 3.4❄17 NovDecember: 3.00 in precipitation, 38.5 in snowfall 3.0❄39 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gaylord 9ssw, MI (8 mi away); precipitation: Gaylord 9ssw, MI (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

497975a
Waters, MI · 6 mi
497385a
Grayling, MI · 10 mi
497395a
Grayling, MI · 10 mi
497355a
Gaylord, MI · 14 mi
497345a
Gaylord, MI · 16 mi
496115b
Alba, MI · 18 mi
497305a
Elmira, MI · 19 mi
497515a
Johannesburg, MI · 20 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49733

What planting zone is ZIP code 49733?

ZIP code 49733 (Frederic, 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 Frederic, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49733 is May 12; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gaylord 9ssw station.

When is the first frost in Frederic, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49733 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49733?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49733 get?

About 37.9 inches of precipitation a year and 149 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gaylord 9ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Frederic, MI?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49733 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Blue Lake at the center of ZIP 49733: sand, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Frederic, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49733 came on Apr 18 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Frederic, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49733 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49733 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49733 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.