Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 49785 — Kincheloe, MI

ZIP code 49785 (Kincheloe, Chippewa 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 25.

Where ZIP 49785 is

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 25

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 Kincheloe, 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 Kincheloe, 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 — 4 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 49785

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 49785 came on May 3 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (May 1).

average
May 12026
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 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 Kincheloe, MI.

Soil in Kincheloe, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49785 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 49785; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kincheloe, 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 (4 mi away); precipitation: Pickford 3ne, MI (4 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.

All 4 ZIP codes in Kincheloe → · Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49785

What planting zone is ZIP code 49785?

ZIP code 49785 (Kincheloe, 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 Kincheloe, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49785 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 Kincheloe, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49785 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 116 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49785?

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 49785 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Kincheloe, 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 49785 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pickford at the center of ZIP 49785: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Kincheloe, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49785 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 Kincheloe, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49785 is 15 h 47 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49785 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49785 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.