Northern Michigan from Traverse City to Gaylord has four different USDA Planting Zones 5a, 5b, 6a, and 6b, as declared by USDA update in 2023. Average minimum winter temperatures here range from -20°F to 0°F (-28.9°C to -17.8°C).
The coldest zone here is USDA zone 5a (-20°F to -15°F / -28.9°C to -26.1°C) which covers Cadillac, Gaylord, and Kalkaska.
The warmest zone is USDA zone 6b (-5°F to 0°F / -20.6°C to -17.8°C) here which includes coastal areas around Traverse City, Suttons Bay, and Charlevoix.
Most towns like Bellaire and parts of Petoskey are in the USDA zone 5b (-15°F to -10°F / -26.1°C to -23.3°C).
Many areas here span multiple USDA zones like Traverse City (6a-6b), Charlevoix (6a-6b), and Boyne City (5a-5b). You can locate your exact Northern Michigan USDA planting zone using our interactive map or hardiness zones table given below.
USDA Zones Map of Northern Michigan
Select or type your Northern Michigan location in selection box below, to find its USDA Growing zone.
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USDA Planting Zone
This zone’s data comes from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), with the most recent zone updates released in 2023
Planting Zones
Planting Zones
Planting Zones Table of Northern Michigan
The table below lists all the cities and towns in Northern Michigan along with respective USDA Hardniess zones.
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What Are the 4 USDA Hardiness Zones in Northern Michigan?
Northern Michigan from Traverse City to Gaylord has four USDA Planting Zones 5a, 5b, 6a, and 6b. The 10 USDA hardiness zone locations in Northern Michigan are Bellaire, Boyne City, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Elk Rapids, Gaylord, Kalkaska, Petoskey, Suttons Bay, and Traverse City. The 10 USDA hardiness zone locations in Northern Michigan are listed below.
1. Zone 5b in Bellaire
Bellaire in Michigan belongs to USDA planting zone 5b, experiencing winter temperatures between -15°F to -10°F (-26.1°C to -23.3°C).
The village 649 feet (198 meters) elevation near Lake Bellaire and Grass River create slightly moderates temperatures, but heavy snowfall (112 inches annually) maintains zone 5b conditions.
Plants like white pines (Pinus strobus) and sugar maples (Acer saccharum) grows in zone 5b moist soils.
2. Zone 5a and 5b in Boyne City
Boyne City in Michigan spans USDA planting zones 5a and 5b, with winter temperatures dropping between -20°F to -10°F (-28.9°C to -23.3°C).
The city’s elevation varies significantly, with Richardson Hill reaching 1,085 feet, creating colder zone 5a climate. Lake Charlevoix’s thermal mass moderates nearby areas to zone 5b climatic conditions, and the heavy snowfall (119 inches annually) maintains these cold hardiness zones.
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum), white pine (Pinus strobus), and red oak (Quercus rubra) are suited for zones 5a and 5b.
3. Zone 5a in Cadillac
Cadillac in Michigan occupies USDA planting zone 5a, where winter temperatures plummet to -20°F to -15°F (-28.9°C to -26.1°C).
The city’s 1,291-foot elevation and location within the Cadillac Hummocky Moraines ecoregion traps cold air in this glacial terrain creating zone 5a. Heavy snowfall (81 inches annually) and humid continental climate sustain prolonged freezing periods.
White spruce (Picea glauca), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) are frost tolerant for zone 5a.
4. Zone 6a and 6b in Charlevoix
Charlevoix in Nothern Michigan lies in USDA planting zones 6a and 6b, with winter lows reaching -10°F to 0°F (-23.3°C to -17.8°C).
Lake Michigan’s thermal mass buffers coastal temperatures creating zone 6b conditions, and the inland areas with elevations of 465 meters experience colder zone 6a climate. The lake delays autumn frost and moderates winter extremes through heat retention.
Maple trees (Acer species) and flowering shrubs flourish in zone 6b well-drained glacial soils.
5. Zone 6a and 6b in Elk Rapids
Elk Rapids in Northern Michigan occupies USDA planting zones 6a and 6b, with winter lows between -10°F to 0°F (-23.3°C to -17.8°C).
The Elk River Chain of Lakes creates thermal mass effects, moderating extreme temperatures through heat storage and release creating zone 6b. The inland locations experiences colder zone 6a conditions.
Sugar maples (Acer saccharum), eastern white pines (Pinus strobus), and red oaks (Quercus rubra) suits these zones.
6. Zone 5a in Gaylord
Gaylord in Northern Michigan occupies USDA planting zone 5a, where winter temperatures drops to -20°F to -15°F (-28.9°C to -26.1°C).
Gaylord’s 1,348-foot elevation and position on the 45th parallel creates humid continental climate. Lake-effect snow from Lake Michigan and Lake Superior intensifies winter conditions, producing zone 5a.
Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), and red maple (Acer rubrum) grows in zone 5a conditions.
7. Zone 5a in Kalkaska
Kalkaska in northern Michigan lies in USDA hardiness zone 5a, where winter temperatures reach -20°F to -15°F (-28.9°C to -26.1°C).
Kalkaska’s elevation of 595-1,246 feet and sandy glacial soil create harsh growing conditions. Lake Michigan generates heavy lake-effect snow averaging 132 inches annually, creating zone 5a climate for plants.
White pine (Pinus strobus) and red oak (Quercus rubra) grows in zone 5a conditions.
8. Zone 5b and 6a in Petoskey
Petoskey in northern Michigan lies in USDA hardiness zones 5b and 6a, with winter lows between -15°F to -5°F (-26.1°C to -20.6°C).
Little Traverse Bay’s thermal mass moderates coastal temperatures, establishing warmer zone 6a conditions near the shoreline. Inland areas around Bear River valley experience colder zone 5b temperatures due to elevation changes and reduced lake influence.
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum), white pine (Pinus strobus), and red oak (Quercus rubra) suits both these zones.
9. Zone 6a and 6b in Suttons Bay
Suttons Bay in northern michigan lies in USDA planting zones 6a and 6b, experiencing winter minimums between -10°F to 0°F (-23.3°C to -17.8°C).
Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Leelanau provide thermal regulation at 600 feet elevation. This aquatic influence delays frost formation and moderates temperature extremes, creating zone 6b climate for plants.
Cherry orchards, white pine (Pinus strobus) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum), grows within zones 6a and 6b.
10. Zone 5b, 6a, and 6b in Traverse City
Traverse City in northern Michigan covers three USDA hardiness zones- 5b, 6a, and 6b, with winter temperatures dropping to -15°F to 0°F (-26.1°C to -17.8°C).
Grand Traverse Bay’s proximity creates warmer zone 6a/6b conditions along the waterfront areas, and inland areas reaching 626 feet elevation experience colder zone 5b temperatures. The Boardman River adds moisture regulation throughout the urban corridor.
Cherry trees (Prunus cerasus) and white pine (Pinus strobus) grows in zones 5b through 6b.