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

Planting zone for 49786 — Kincheloe, MI

ZIP code 49786 (Kincheloe, Chippewa County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 49786 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 9

First frostOct 11

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 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 — 5 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 49786

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 49786 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 49786 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 49786; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kincheloe, 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

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Field, MI (5 mi away); precipitation: Sault Ste Marie Sanderson Field, MI (5 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.

497834b

Sault Sainte Marie, MI · 2 mi

Kincheloe, MI · 12 mi

497845a

Kincheloe, MI · 12 mi

497104b

Barbeau, MI · 12 mi

497855a

Kincheloe, MI · 16 mi

497154b

Brimley, MI · 17 mi

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

Questions about 49786

What planting zone is ZIP code 49786?

ZIP code 49786 (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 49786 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 Kincheloe, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49786 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49786?

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 49786 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 Kincheloe, 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 49786 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pickford at the center of ZIP 49786: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Kincheloe, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49786 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 49786 is 15 h 49 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49786 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49786 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.