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

Planting zone for 49950 — Mohawk, MI

ZIP code 49950 (Mohawk, Keweenaw County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 49950 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 10
First frostOct 21
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 Mohawk, 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 Mohawk, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Copper Harbor, MI — 13 miles away, elevation 627 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 49950

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 49950 came on May 7 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (May 3).

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 Mohawk, MI.

Soil in Mohawk, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49950 is Montreal — highly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer
pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter75%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Montreal-Paavola-Waiska complex, dissected, 1 to 12 percent slopes, rocky, very bouldery.

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 49950; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mohawk, MI

Summer high72 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, February
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,586base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 57 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation34.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°32 °FJanuary: average high 26 °F, low 15 °F 26°15° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 14 °F 27°14° FebMarch: average high 35 °F, low 21 °F 35°21° MarApril: average high 45 °F, low 31 °F 45°31° AprMay: average high 58 °F, low 41 °F 58°41° MayJune: average high 67 °F, low 49 °F 67°49° JunJuly: average high 72 °F, low 57 °F 72°57° JulAugust: average high 72 °F, low 58 °F 72°58° AugSeptember: average high 65 °F, low 51 °F 65°51° SepOctober: average high 52 °F, low 41 °F 52°41° OctNovember: average high 41 °F, low 30 °F 41°30° NovDecember: average high 31 °F, low 21 °F 31°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 2.90 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 1.83 in precipitation 1.8 FebMarch: 1.50 in precipitation 1.5 MarApril: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 MayJune: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 JunJuly: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 AugSeptember: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 2.98 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Copper Harbor, MI (13 mi away); precipitation: Calumet 5.8 Ene, MI (12 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.

498055b
Allouez, MI · 13 mi
499175b
Copper City, MI · 13 mi
499015b
Ahmeek, MI · 14 mi
499186a
Copper Harbor, MI · 15 mi
499425b
Kearsarge, MI · 16 mi
499135b
Calumet, MI · 18 mi
499455b
Lake Linden, MI · 19 mi
499345b
Hubbell, MI · 21 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49950

What planting zone is ZIP code 49950?

ZIP code 49950 (Mohawk, 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 Mohawk, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49950 is May 10; after June 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Copper Harbor station.

When is the first frost in Mohawk, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49950 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49950?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49950 get?

About 34.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Calumet 5.8 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Mohawk, MI?

The average high peaks at 72 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49950 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Montreal at the center of ZIP 49950: highly decomposed plant material, moderately well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mohawk, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49950 came on May 7 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (May 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Mohawk, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49950 is 15 h 57 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).