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

Planting zone for 49774 — Pickford, MI

ZIP code 49774 (Pickford, Chippewa County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 49774 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 31

First frostSep 25

2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Pickford, 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 Pickford, 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 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 6

Growing season116 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 18 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Pickford 3ne, MI — 2 miles away, elevation 630 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 49774

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 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 31) 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 49774 came on May 3 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

average
Apr 302026
May 3

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 4b in Michigan

514 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. 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 Pickford, MI.

Soil in Pickford, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49774 is Carbondale — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter87.5%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Carbondale, Lupton, and Tawas mucks, 0 to 1 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 49774; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pickford, MI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights184nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,747base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 47 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation34.1 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: Pickford 3ne, MI (2 mi away); precipitation: Pickford 3ne, MI (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Goetzville, MI · 9 mi

497104b

Barbeau, MI · 10 mi

497845a

Kincheloe, MI · 10 mi

497885a

Kincheloe, MI · 11 mi

497244b

Dafter, MI · 12 mi

497195a

Cedarville, MI · 12 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49774

What planting zone is ZIP code 49774?

ZIP code 49774 (Pickford, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Pickford, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49774 is May 31; after June 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pickford 3ne station.

When is the first frost in Pickford, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49774 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 116 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49774?

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 49774 get?

About 34.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pickford 3ne station).

How hot do summers get in Pickford, MI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49774 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Carbondale at the center of ZIP 49774: muck, very poorly drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pickford, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49774 came on May 3 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pickford, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49774 is 15 h 47 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).