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

Planting zone for 49884 — Shingleton, MI

ZIP code 49884 (Shingleton, Alger County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 49884 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 23

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 Shingleton, 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 Shingleton, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 23

Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Munsing Lakeshore, MI — 14 miles away, elevation 614 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 49884

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 11 – May 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20

BeansSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

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 23) 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 49884 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 Shingleton, MI.

Soil in Shingleton, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49884 is Loxley — peat, very poorly drained.

TexturePeattop layer

pH3.8strongly acidic; 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: Loxley, Dawson, and Greenwood peats, 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 49884; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shingleton, MI

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July

Winter low12 °Faverage low, February

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,634base 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)

Precipitation31.7 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: Munsing Lakeshore, MI (14 mi away); precipitation: Munsing Lakeshore, MI (14 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.

498395b

Grand Marais, MI · 16 mi

Manistique, MI · 23 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49884

What planting zone is ZIP code 49884?

ZIP code 49884 (Shingleton, 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 Shingleton, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49884 is May 23; after June 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Munsing Lakeshore station.

When is the first frost in Shingleton, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49884 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49884?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 28 – Apr 11 and set transplants outside around May 30 – Jun 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49884 get?

About 31.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Munsing Lakeshore station).

How hot do summers get in Shingleton, MI?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49884 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Loxley at the center of ZIP 49884: peat, very poorly drained, pH about 3.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Shingleton, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49884 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 Shingleton, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49884 is 15 h 49 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).