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

Planting zone for 49883 — Seney, MI

ZIP code 49883 (Seney, Schoolcraft County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 49883 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 27

First frostOct 10

2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Seney, 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 Seney, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 9 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Grand Marais 2 E, MI — 18 miles away, elevation 623 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 49883

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 15 – May 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 27) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 49883 came on May 2 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

average
Apr 302026
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 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 Seney, MI.

Soil in Seney, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49883 is Rubicon — sand, excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rubicon sand, 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 49883; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Seney, MI

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, February

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights191nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,703base 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)

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: Grand Marais 2 E, MI (18 mi away); precipitation: Newberry Correctional Facility, MI (25 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

498535a

Mc Millan, MI · 13 mi

498395b

Grand Marais, MI · 15 mi

Shingleton, MI · 17 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49883

What planting zone is ZIP code 49883?

ZIP code 49883 (Seney, 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 Seney, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49883 is May 27; after June 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grand Marais 2 E station.

When is the first frost in Seney, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49883 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49883?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 1 – Apr 15 and set transplants outside around Jun 3 – Jun 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49883 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Seney, MI?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49883 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rubicon at the center of ZIP 49883: sand, excessively drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Seney, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49883 came on May 2 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 Seney, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49883 is 15 h 49 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).