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

Planting zone for 49816 — Chatham, MI

ZIP code 49816 (Chatham, Alger County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 49816 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 27
First frostSep 28
2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chatham, 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 Chatham, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 9
Growing season124 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 12 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Chatham 1 Se, MI — 4 miles away, elevation 876 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 49816

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 15 – May 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 27) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 49816 came on May 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29).

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.

Trees 54

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 103

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 207

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 166

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 7

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °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 Chatham, MI.

Soil in Chatham, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49816 is Shoepac — highly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.4strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Shoepac-Trenary silt loams, 1 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 49816; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chatham, MI

Summer high76 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, February
Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights186nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,510base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 36 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37 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 24 °F, low 9 °F 24°9° JanFebruary: average high 26 °F, low 7 °F 26°7° FebMarch: average high 35 °F, low 16 °F 35°16° MarApril: average high 47 °F, low 27 °F 47°27° AprMay: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° JunJuly: average high 76 °F, low 52 °F 76°52° JulAugust: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° AugSeptember: average high 67 °F, low 46 °F 67°46° SepOctober: average high 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° OctNovember: average high 40 °F, low 25 °F 40°25° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 16 °F 29°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.54 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 1.91 in precipitation 1.9 FebMarch: 2.07 in precipitation 2.1 MarApril: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 JunJuly: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 AugSeptember: 4.04 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 NovDecember: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chatham 1 Se, MI (4 mi away); precipitation: Chatham 1 Se, MI (4 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.

498255a
Eben Junction, MI · 6 mi
498915a
Trenary, MI · 7 mi
498265a
Rumely, MI · 8 mi
498065b
Au Train, MI · 12 mi
498625b
Munising, MI · 12 mi
498225b
Deerton, MI · 12 mi
498954b
Wetmore, MI · 14 mi
498855a
Skandia, MI · 14 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49816

What planting zone is ZIP code 49816?

ZIP code 49816 (Chatham, 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 Chatham, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49816 is May 27; after June 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chatham 1 Se station.

When is the first frost in Chatham, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49816 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 124 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49816?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 1 – Apr 15 and set transplants outside around Jun 3 – Jun 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49816 get?

About 37 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chatham 1 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Chatham, MI?

The average high peaks at 76 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49816 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Shoepac at the center of ZIP 49816: highly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.4 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Chatham, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49816 came on May 1 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chatham, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49816 is 15 h 48 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).