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

Planting zone for 49783 — Sault Sainte Marie, MI

ZIP code 49783 (Sault Sainte Marie, Chippewa County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 49783 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 9
First frostOct 11
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 Sault Sainte Marie, 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 Sault Sainte Marie, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 27only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 26
Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Field, MI — 6 miles away, elevation 722 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 49783

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 49783 came on May 3 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (May 1).

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.

Trees 51

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 97

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 190

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 157

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 5

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °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 Sault Sainte Marie, MI.

Soil in Sault Sainte Marie, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49783 is Pickford — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter8%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Pickford silty clay loam, 0 to 2 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 49783; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sault Sainte Marie, MI

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low8 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights164nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,795base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 49 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 35 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation34.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall120 inper year; 137 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 24 °F, low 8 °F 24°8° JanFebruary: average high 26 °F, low 9 °F 26°9° FebMarch: average high 36 °F, low 18 °F 36°18° MarApril: average high 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 49 °F 68°49° SepOctober: average high 54 °F, low 39 °F 54°39° OctNovember: average high 41 °F, low 28 °F 41°28° NovDecember: average high 31 °F, low 17 °F 31°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.21 in precipitation, 30.3 in snowfall 2.2❄30 JanFebruary: 1.51 in precipitation, 20.7 in snowfall 1.5❄21 FebMarch: 1.81 in precipitation, 13 in snowfall 1.8❄13 MarApril: 2.63 in precipitation, 7.6 in snowfall 2.6❄8 AprMay: 2.64 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 2.6 MayJune: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 4.38 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 4.4❄2 OctNovember: 3.44 in precipitation, 16 in snowfall 3.4❄16 NovDecember: 2.80 in precipitation, 30.4 in snowfall 2.8❄30 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Field, MI (6 mi away); precipitation: Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Field, 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.

497865a
Kincheloe, MI · 2 mi
497244b
Dafter, MI · 8 mi
497104b
Barbeau, MI · 11 mi
497524b
Kinross, MI · 12 mi
497845a
Kincheloe, MI · 14 mi
497885a
Kincheloe, MI · 14 mi
497855a
Kincheloe, MI · 17 mi
497744b
Pickford, MI · 17 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49783

What planting zone is ZIP code 49783?

ZIP code 49783 (Sault Sainte Marie, 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 Sault Sainte Marie, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49783 is May 9; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Field station.

When is the first frost in Sault Sainte Marie, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49783 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49783?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49783 get?

About 34.5 inches of precipitation a year and 120 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Field station).

How hot do summers get in Sault Sainte Marie, MI?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49783 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pickford at the center of ZIP 49783: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sault Sainte Marie, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49783 came on May 3 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (May 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sault Sainte Marie, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49783 is 15 h 49 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).