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

Planting zone for 49814 — Champion, MI

ZIP code 49814 (Champion, Marquette County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is June 5 and the first fall frost September 10.

Where ZIP 49814 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.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F
Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C
Last frostJun 5
First frostSep 10
2012 zone4a

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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Champion, 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 Champion, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 10median — 10% chance by Aug 23
Growing season96 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 23 and returns around September 28.

From the NOAA station Clarksburg, MI — 7 miles away, elevation 1,555 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 49814

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 15 – May 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 15 – May 29
LettuceSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 19 – Jul 3
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 16 – Jul 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 27 – Oct 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 5) and first fall frost (Sep 10) 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 49814 came on May 1 — 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 4a in Michigan

443 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 48

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 78

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 168

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 136

alpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °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 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 4

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 °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 Champion, MI.

Soil in Champion, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49814 is Keewaydin — highly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Keewaydin-Michigamme-Rock outcrop complex, 25 to 60 percent slopes, very bouldery.

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 49814; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Champion, MI

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low0 °Faverage low, February
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights218nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,514base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 50 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 34 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation30.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall118 inper year; 147 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 23 °F, low 2 °F 23°2° JanFebruary: average high 26 °F, low 0 °F 26°0° FebMarch: average high 38 °F, low 9 °F 38°9° MarApril: average high 50 °F, low 23 °F 50°23° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 35 °F 66°35° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 45 °F 75°45° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 49 °F 77°49° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° SepOctober: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° OctNovember: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° NovDecember: average high 26 °F, low 10 °F 26°10° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 1.58 in precipitation, 25.1 in snowfall 1.6❄25 JanFebruary: 1.29 in precipitation, 23.9 in snowfall 1.3❄24 FebMarch: 1.34 in precipitation, 14.5 in snowfall 1.3❄15 MarApril: 2.51 in precipitation, 14.7 in snowfall 2.5❄15 AprMay: 2.87 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 2.9❄1 MayJune: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 JunJuly: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 AugSeptember: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 3.50 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 3.5❄3 OctNovember: 2.26 in precipitation, 15 in snowfall 2.3❄15 NovDecember: 1.63 in precipitation, 21.1 in snowfall 1.6❄21 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Champion Van Riper Pk, MI (4 mi away); precipitation: Clarksburg, MI (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

498614a
Michigamme, MI · 11 mi
498494b
Ishpeming, MI · 13 mi
498654b
National Mine, MI · 16 mi
498794a
Republic, MI · 17 mi
498085b
Big Bay, MI · 18 mi
498664b
Negaunee, MI · 20 mi
499625a
Skanee, MI · 21 mi
499465a
Lanse, MI · 21 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49814

What planting zone is ZIP code 49814?

ZIP code 49814 (Champion, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Champion, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49814 is June 5; after June 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clarksburg station.

When is the first frost in Champion, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49814 is September 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 96 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49814?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 10 – Apr 24 and set transplants outside around Jun 12 – Jun 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49814 get?

About 30.1 inches of precipitation a year and 118 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clarksburg station).

How hot do summers get in Champion, MI?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49814 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Keewaydin at the center of ZIP 49814: highly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Champion, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49814 came on May 1 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 Champion, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49814 is 15 h 50 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).