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

Planting zone for 49838 — Gould City, MI

ZIP code 49838 (Gould City, Mackinac County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 26 and the first fall frost September 30.

Where ZIP 49838 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 26

First frostSep 30

2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gould City, 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 Gould City, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 10only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 13

Growing season127 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Engadine Mdot, MI — 11 miles away, elevation 686 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 49838

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 14 – May 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 5 – May 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 5 – May 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 2 – Jun 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 9 – Jun 23

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 2 – Jun 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 2 – Jun 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 2 – Jun 16

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 5 – Aug 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 26) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 49838 came on May 4 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (May 1).

average
May 12026
May 4

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.

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 Gould City, MI.

Soil in Gould City, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49838 is Cathro — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cathro and Lupton 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 49838; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gould City, MI

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights193nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,551base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 45 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation33.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Engadine Mdot, MI (11 mi away); precipitation: Newberry Correctional Facility, MI (24 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Naubinway, MI · 22 mi

498535a

Mc Millan, MI · 23 mi

498835a

Seney, MI · 29 mi

497826a

Beaver Island, MI · 30 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49838

What planting zone is ZIP code 49838?

ZIP code 49838 (Gould City, 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 Gould City, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49838 is May 26; after June 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Engadine Mdot station.

When is the first frost in Gould City, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49838 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 127 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49838?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 31 – Apr 14 and set transplants outside around Jun 2 – Jun 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49838 get?

About 33.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Newberry Correctional Facility station).

How hot do summers get in Gould City, 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 49838 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cathro at the center of ZIP 49838: muck, very poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Gould City, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49838 came on May 4 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (May 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gould City, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49838 is 15 h 45 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49838 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49838 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.