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

Planting zone for 49922 — Dollar Bay, MI

ZIP code 49922 (Dollar Bay, Houghton County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 49922 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 17

First frostOct 1

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 Dollar Bay, 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 Dollar Bay, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season138 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Hancock Houghton Co. Airport, MI — 3 miles away, elevation 1,063 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 49922

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 49922 came on May 1 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

average
Apr 282026
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 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.

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 Dollar Bay, MI.

Soil in Dollar Bay, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49922 is Kalkaska — highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kalkaska-Waiska sands, 0 to 8 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 49922; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dollar Bay, MI

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, February

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,605base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 55 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 29 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation31.6 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: Hancock Houghton Co. Airport, MI (3 mi away); precipitation: Jacobsville, MI (9 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.

499345b

Hubbell, MI · 4 mi

499215b

Dodgeville, MI · 5 mi

499305b

Hancock, MI · 7 mi

499455b

Lake Linden, MI · 7 mi

South Range, MI · 9 mi

499425b

Kearsarge, MI · 10 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49922

What planting zone is ZIP code 49922?

ZIP code 49922 (Dollar Bay, 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 Dollar Bay, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49922 is May 17; after June 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hancock Houghton Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Dollar Bay, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49922 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 138 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49922?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49922 get?

About 31.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jacobsville station).

How hot do summers get in Dollar Bay, MI?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49922 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kalkaska at the center of ZIP 49922: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Dollar Bay, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49922 came on May 1 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dollar Bay, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49922 is 15 h 55 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).