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

Planting zone for 49960 — Rockland, MI

ZIP code 49960 (Rockland, Ontonagon County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 49960 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 27

First frostOct 1

2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Rockland, 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 Rockland, 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 1median — 10% chance by Sep 14

Growing season127 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 10 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Ontonagon 6 Se, MI — 9 miles away, elevation 791 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 49960

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 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 27) 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 49960 came on Apr 29 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27).

average
Apr 272026
Apr 29

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 4b in Michigan

514 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Michigan, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. 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 Rockland, MI.

Soil in Rockland, MI

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 49960 is Wainola — highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureHighly decomposed plant materialtop layer

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

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter75%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wainola-Trap Falls complex, 0 to 3 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 49960; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rockland, MI

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,020base 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)

Precipitation32.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall178 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ontonagon 6 Se, MI (9 mi away); precipitation: Ontonagon 6 Se, MI (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

499535a

Ontonagon, MI · 9 mi

499295a

Greenland, MI · 10 mi

499484b

Mass City, MI · 13 mi

Bruce Crossing, MI · 15 mi

499714b

White Pine, MI · 18 mi

499674b

Trout Creek, MI · 20 mi

Michigan planting zones →

Questions about 49960

What planting zone is ZIP code 49960?

ZIP code 49960 (Rockland, MI) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Rockland, MI?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 49960 is May 27; after June 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ontonagon 6 Se station.

When is the first frost in Rockland, MI?

The median first fall frost near 49960 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 127 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 49960?

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 49960 get?

About 32.9 inches of precipitation a year and 178 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ontonagon 6 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Rockland, MI?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 49960 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wainola at the center of ZIP 49960: highly decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rockland, MI in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 49960 came on Apr 29 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rockland, MI?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 49960 is 15 h 51 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).