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

Planting zone for 49881 — Sagola, MI

ZIP code 49881 (Sagola, Dickinson County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 25.

Where ZIP 49881 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F
Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C
Last frostMay 24
First frostSep 25
2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sagola, 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 Sagola, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 25median — 10% chance by Sep 7
Growing season121 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 11 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Florence, WI — 14 miles away, elevation 1,299 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 49881

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21
BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 31 – Aug 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 11 – Oct 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 25) 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 49881 came on Apr 27 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

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 4b in Michigan

514 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 51

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 97

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 190

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 157

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 5

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °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 Sagola, MI.

Soil in Sagola, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49881 is Pemene — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pemene fine sandy loam, 0 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 49881; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sagola, MI

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low3 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights190nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,717base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 46 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)
Precipitation31.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 22 °F, low 3 °F 22°3° JanFebruary: average high 26 °F, low 4 °F 26°4° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° MarApril: average high 50 °F, low 27 °F 50°27° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° SepOctober: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° OctNovember: average high 39 °F, low 23 °F 39°23° NovDecember: average high 27 °F, low 11 °F 27°11° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 1.35 in precipitation 1.4 JanFebruary: 1.20 in precipitation 1.2 FebMarch: 1.60 in precipitation 1.6 MarApril: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 1.78 in precipitation 1.8 NovDecember: 1.55 in precipitation 1.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Florence, WI (14 mi away); precipitation: Florence 5.6 Ese, WI (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

498154b
Channing, MI · 9 mi
498014b
Iron Mountain, MI · 10 mi
499204a
Crystal Falls, MI · 13 mi
499024b
Alpha, MI · 16 mi
498704b
Norway, MI · 16 mi
498794a
Republic, MI · 18 mi
498024b
Kingsford, MI · 19 mi
498764b
Quinnesec, MI · 19 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49881

What planting zone is ZIP code 49881?

ZIP code 49881 (Sagola, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Sagola, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49881 is May 24; after June 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Florence station.

When is the first frost in Sagola, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49881 is September 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 121 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49881?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49881 get?

About 31.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Florence 5.6 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Sagola, 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 49881 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pemene at the center of ZIP 49881: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Sagola, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49881 came on Apr 27 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sagola, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49881 is 15 h 46 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49881 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49881 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.