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

Planting zone for 49841 — Gwinn, MI

ZIP code 49841 (Gwinn, Marquette County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 49841 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 13

First frostOct 2

2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gwinn, 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 Gwinn, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 29only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 15

Growing season141 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Ki Sawyer Wwtp, MI — 7 miles away, elevation 1,116 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 49841

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 49841 came on May 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (May 1).

average
May 12026
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 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.

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 Gwinn, MI.

Soil in Gwinn, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49841 is Karlin — highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.5strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of local importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Karlin sandy loam, 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 49841; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gwinn, MI

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low8 °Faverage low, February

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights178nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,770base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 47 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)

Precipitation32.7 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: Ki Sawyer Wwtp, MI (7 mi away); precipitation: Ki Sawyer Wwtp, MI (7 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.

498335a

Little Lake, MI · 10 mi

Marquette, MI · 20 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49841

What planting zone is ZIP code 49841?

ZIP code 49841 (Gwinn, 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 Gwinn, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49841 is May 13; after May 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ki Sawyer Wwtp station.

When is the first frost in Gwinn, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49841 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 141 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49841?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49841 get?

About 32.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ki Sawyer Wwtp station).

How hot do summers get in Gwinn, MI?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49841 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Karlin at the center of ZIP 49841: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.5 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gwinn, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49841 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 Gwinn, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49841 is 15 h 47 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49841 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49841 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.