Michigan's planting zones vary widely across the state due to its continental climate and geographic diversity. The USDA Hardiness Zones in Michigan range from 4a in the colder western Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula to 6b in the warmer southeast and along the Lake Michigan lakeshore
Summary of Michigan Planting Zones:
- Zone 4a and 4b: Cooler areas including parts of the western Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula.
- Zone 5a and 5b: Central parts of the state.
- Zone 6a and 6b: Warmer pockets mainly in the southeast and along the shores of Lake Michigan.
For example, Detroit is in Zone 6, with a last frost date around May 2 and a first frost date around October 13
. Other cities and counties fall into various zones between 4b and 6b depending on their location
. This range means plants rated for zones 4 through 6 can generally survive in Michigan, with planting and frost dates varying accordingly
. In summary, Michigan spans USDA Hardiness Zones 4a through 6b, with colder zones in the north and warmer zones in the south and near the Great Lakes
