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

Planting zone for 49745 — Hessel, MI

ZIP code 49745 (Hessel, Mackinac County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 1 and the first fall frost September 21.

Where ZIP 49745 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 frostJun 1

First frostSep 21

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 Hessel, 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 Hessel, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 21median — 10% chance by Sep 6

Growing season110 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 19 and returns around October 3.

From the NOAA station Rudyard 5se, MI — 12 miles away, elevation 666 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 49745

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 11 – May 25

LettuceSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 15 – Jun 29

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 8 – Jun 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 27 – Aug 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 7 – Oct 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 1) and first fall frost (Sep 21) 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 49745 came on May 7 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (May 1).

average
May 12026
May 7

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.

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 Hessel, MI.

Soil in Hessel, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49745 is Angelica — muck, poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Angelica muck.

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 49745; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hessel, MI

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights201nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,411base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 45 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation34.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rudyard 5se, MI (12 mi away); precipitation: Rudyard 5se, MI (12 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.

497195a

Cedarville, MI · 10 mi

497575b

Mackinac Island, MI · 12 mi

497815b

Saint Ignace, MI · 12 mi

497855a

Kincheloe, MI · 13 mi

Kincheloe, MI · 17 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49745

What planting zone is ZIP code 49745?

ZIP code 49745 (Hessel, 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 Hessel, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49745 is June 1; after June 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rudyard 5se station.

When is the first frost in Hessel, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49745 is September 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 110 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49745?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 6 – Apr 20 and set transplants outside around Jun 8 – Jun 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49745 get?

About 34.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rudyard 5se station).

How hot do summers get in Hessel, MI?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49745 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Angelica at the center of ZIP 49745: muck, poorly drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hessel, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49745 came on May 7 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (May 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hessel, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49745 is 15 h 45 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).