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

Planting zone for 49952 — Nisula, MI

ZIP code 49952 (Nisula, Houghton County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 25 and the first fall frost September 23.

Where ZIP 49952 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 25
First frostSep 23
2012 zone4a

Was 4a on the 2012 map — a full zone warmer now. 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 Nisula, 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 Nisula, MI

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 23median — 10% chance by Sep 7
Growing season119 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 10 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Baraga 7nw, MI — 12 miles away, elevation 653 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 49952

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 13 – May 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 4 – May 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 4 – May 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 8 – Jun 22
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 29 – Aug 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 9 – Oct 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 25) and first fall frost (Sep 23) 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 49952 came on Apr 29 — 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 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.

Trees 54

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 207

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 166

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 Nisula, MI.

Soil in Nisula, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49952 is Graveraet — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Graveraet fine sandy loam, dissected, 1 to 12 percent slopes, stony.

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 49952; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Nisula, MI

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low5 °Faverage low, February
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights195nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,694base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 51 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 33 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
Snowfall121 inper year; 149 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 24 °F, low 7 °F 24°7° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 5 °F 27°5° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 13 °F 37°13° MarApril: average high 50 °F, low 26 °F 50°26° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 37 °F 64°37° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 47 °F 75°47° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 34 °F 55°34° OctNovember: average high 40 °F, low 24 °F 40°24° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 14 °F 29°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 1.72 in precipitation, 24.8 in snowfall 1.7❄25 JanFebruary: 1.41 in precipitation, 20.9 in snowfall 1.4❄21 FebMarch: 1.53 in precipitation, 13.6 in snowfall 1.5❄14 MarApril: 3.20 in precipitation, 15.6 in snowfall 3.2❄16 AprMay: 3.02 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 3.0❄1 MayJune: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 JunJuly: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 2.98 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.36 in precipitation, 3.8 in snowfall 3.4❄4 OctNovember: 2.45 in precipitation, 16.9 in snowfall 2.5❄17 NovDecember: 1.72 in precipitation, 24.7 in snowfall 1.7❄25 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Baraga 7nw, MI (12 mi away); precipitation: Watton 2wsw, 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.

499585a
Pelkie, MI · 10 mi
499484b
Mass City, MI · 11 mi
499085a
Baraga, MI · 11 mi
499704b
Watton, MI · 15 mi
499674b
Trout Creek, MI · 16 mi
499295a
Greenland, MI · 16 mi
499614b
Sidnaw, MI · 18 mi
499655a
Toivola, MI · 18 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49952

What planting zone is ZIP code 49952?

ZIP code 49952 (Nisula, 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 Nisula, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49952 is May 25; after June 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Baraga 7nw station.

When is the first frost in Nisula, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49952 is September 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 119 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49952?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 30 – Apr 13 and set transplants outside around Jun 1 – Jun 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 49952 get?

About 31.9 inches of precipitation a year and 121 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watton 2wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Nisula, MI?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49952 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Graveraet at the center of ZIP 49952: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Nisula, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49952 came on Apr 29 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 Nisula, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49952 is 15 h 51 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 49952 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 49952 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.