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

Planting zone for 49791 — Topinabee, MI

ZIP code 49791 (Topinabee, Cheboygan County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 49791 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 21
First frostSep 27
2012 zone5a

Was 5a on the 2012 map — half a zone colder now. 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 Topinabee, 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 Topinabee, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 11
Growing season128 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Pellston Airport #2, MI — 11 miles away, elevation 712 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 49791

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
TomatoesTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18
BeansSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 28 – Jun 11
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 21) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 49791 came on Apr 23 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

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 Topinabee, MI.

Soil in Topinabee, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49791 is Blue Lake — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Blue Lake loamy sand, 0 to 6 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 49791; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Topinabee, MI

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, February
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights185nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,812base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 41 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 42 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation30 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 26 °F, low 8 °F 26°8° JanFebruary: average high 28 °F, low 7 °F 28°7° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 15 °F 37°15° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 27 °F 51°27° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 39 °F 65°39° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 49 °F 75°49° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° SepOctober: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 27 °F 43°27° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 18 °F 32°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.61 in precipitation 1.6 JanFebruary: 1.14 in precipitation 1.1 FebMarch: 1.74 in precipitation 1.7 MarApril: 2.44 in precipitation 2.4 AprMay: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 MayJune: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 JunJuly: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 JulAugust: 2.85 in precipitation 2.9 AugSeptember: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 OctNovember: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 1.89 in precipitation 1.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pellston Airport #2, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Pellston Regional Airport, MI (11 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.

497494b
Indian River, MI · 4 mi
497175a
Burt Lake, MI · 6 mi
497615a
Mullett Lake, MI · 7 mi
497164b
Brutus, MI · 8 mi
497065a
Alanson, MI · 9 mi
497215a
Cheboygan, MI · 9 mi
497054b
Afton, MI · 11 mi
497645a
Oden, MI · 12 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49791

What planting zone is ZIP code 49791?

ZIP code 49791 (Topinabee, 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 Topinabee, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49791 is May 21; after June 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pellston Airport #2 station.

When is the first frost in Topinabee, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49791 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 128 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49791?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 26 – Apr 9 and set transplants outside around May 28 – Jun 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49791 get?

About 30 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pellston Regional Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Topinabee, MI?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49791 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Blue Lake at the center of ZIP 49791: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Topinabee, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49791 came on Apr 23 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Topinabee, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49791 is 15 h 41 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49791 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49791 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.