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

Planting zone for 49862 — Munising, MI

ZIP code 49862 (Munising, Alger County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 49862 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 16
First frostOct 14
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 Munising, 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 Munising, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Munising, MI — 3 miles away, elevation 679 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 49862

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13
BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 49862 came on May 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (May 2).

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 Munising, MI.

Soil in Munising, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49862 is Kalkaska — sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kalkaska-Blue Lake complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes, dissected.

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 49862; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Munising, MI

Summer high73 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights169nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,497base 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)
Precipitation39.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall161 inper year; 148 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 23 °F, low 11 °F 23°11° JanFebruary: average high 25 °F, low 12 °F 25°12° FebMarch: average high 33 °F, low 19 °F 33°19° MarApril: average high 45 °F, low 29 °F 45°29° AprMay: average high 59 °F, low 39 °F 59°39° MayJune: average high 68 °F, low 49 °F 68°49° JunJuly: average high 73 °F, low 55 °F 73°55° JulAugust: average high 72 °F, low 55 °F 72°55° AugSeptember: average high 65 °F, low 49 °F 65°49° SepOctober: average high 52 °F, low 38 °F 52°38° OctNovember: average high 39 °F, low 28 °F 39°28° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 18 °F 29°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.54 in precipitation, 46 in snowfall 3.5❄46 JanFebruary: 2.38 in precipitation, 32.4 in snowfall 2.4❄32 FebMarch: 2.01 in precipitation, 17.9 in snowfall 2.0❄18 MarApril: 2.94 in precipitation, 9.6 in snowfall 2.9❄10 AprMay: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 JunJuly: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 SepOctober: 4.93 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 4.9❄1 OctNovember: 3.47 in precipitation, 14.9 in snowfall 3.5❄15 NovDecember: 3.44 in precipitation, 39.1 in snowfall 3.4❄39 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Munising, MI (3 mi away); precipitation: Munising, MI (3 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.

498065b
Au Train, MI · 9 mi
498165a
Chatham, MI · 12 mi
498255a
Eben Junction, MI · 12 mi
498225b
Deerton, MI · 14 mi
498954b
Wetmore, MI · 16 mi
498265a
Rumely, MI · 16 mi
498845a
Shingleton, MI · 18 mi
498915a
Trenary, MI · 19 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49862

What planting zone is ZIP code 49862?

ZIP code 49862 (Munising, 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 Munising, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49862 is May 16; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Munising station.

When is the first frost in Munising, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49862 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49862?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49862 get?

About 39.9 inches of precipitation a year and 161 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Munising station).

How hot do summers get in Munising, MI?

The average high peaks at 73 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49862 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kalkaska at the center of ZIP 49862: sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Munising, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49862 came on May 1 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (May 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Munising, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49862 is 15 h 49 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).