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

Planting zone for 49822 — Deerton, MI

ZIP code 49822 (Deerton, Alger County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 30 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 49822 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostMay 30
First frostSep 27
2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Deerton, 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 Deerton, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 6
Growing season119 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 16 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Chatham Exp Farm 2, MI — 8 miles away, elevation 869 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 49822

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 9 – May 23
LettuceSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 13 – Jun 27
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 6 – Jun 20
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 30) 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 49822 came on May 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

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 5b in Michigan

564 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 58

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 212

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 170

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 Deerton, MI.

Soil in Deerton, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49822 is Carbondale — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter87.5%high
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Carbondale, Lupton, and Tawas mucks, 0 to 1 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 49822; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Deerton, MI

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, February
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights193nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,729base 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)
Precipitation35.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall164 inper year; 129 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 25 °F, low 8 °F 25°8° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 7 °F 27°7° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 15 °F 37°15° MarApril: average high 48 °F, low 27 °F 48°27° AprMay: average high 63 °F, low 39 °F 63°39° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 54 °F 78°54° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° OctNovember: average high 40 °F, low 25 °F 40°25° NovDecember: average high 30 °F, low 15 °F 30°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.04 in precipitation, 45.6 in snowfall 2.0❄46 JanFebruary: 1.53 in precipitation, 29.7 in snowfall 1.5❄30 FebMarch: 1.69 in precipitation, 18.6 in snowfall 1.7❄19 MarApril: 2.44 in precipitation, 11.8 in snowfall 2.4❄12 AprMay: 3.27 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 3.3❄1 MayJune: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 JunJuly: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 4.74 in precipitation, 2.5 in snowfall 4.7❄3 OctNovember: 2.86 in precipitation, 18.9 in snowfall 2.9❄19 NovDecember: 2.29 in precipitation, 36.3 in snowfall 2.3❄36 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chatham Exp Farm 2, MI (8 mi away); precipitation: Chatham Exp Farm 2, MI (8 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.

498255a
Eben Junction, MI · 6 mi
498065b
Au Train, MI · 6 mi
498265a
Rumely, MI · 8 mi
498855a
Skandia, MI · 11 mi
498165a
Chatham, MI · 12 mi
498915a
Trenary, MI · 15 mi
498335a
Little Lake, MI · 17 mi
498555b
Marquette, MI · 22 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49822

What planting zone is ZIP code 49822?

ZIP code 49822 (Deerton, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Deerton, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49822 is May 30; after June 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chatham Exp Farm 2 station.

When is the first frost in Deerton, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49822 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 119 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49822?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 4 – Apr 18 and set transplants outside around Jun 6 – Jun 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49822 get?

About 35.1 inches of precipitation a year and 164 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chatham Exp Farm 2 station).

How hot do summers get in Deerton, 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 49822 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Carbondale at the center of ZIP 49822: muck, very poorly drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Deerton, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49822 came on May 1 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Deerton, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49822 is 15 h 49 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).