What Growing Zone Is Bay City?

Our records indicate the United States Department of Agriculture has given Bay City a growing zone designation of 6a. Sometimes also called the planting or hardiness zone, this zone number gives you an idea of what plants can and cannot grow in Bay City's climate based on the average extreme annual temperature.Our data is based on the latest 2023 USDA maps, which used Bay City's weather data from 1991 - 2020 in their analysis.

Latest MI growing zone map

If you are looking for plants suitable for growing in the Bay City area, head on over to our page on plants that grow well in Bay City, MI.

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

High-capacity watering can with comfortable grip and precise spout.

Worm Composting Kit

Complete kit for starting your own worm composting system.

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

Reusable Grow Bags

Breathable fabric grow bags that promote healthy root growth for your vegetables and fruits.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Latest MI growing zone map

The growing zone is a measure of the lowest temperature that a plant can survive based on average lowest year temperatures, helping you to decide what plants would grow best in your particular climate. Since Bay City is in growing zone 6a this means that plants there can survive temperatures as low as -10 to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants for Bay City's climate should be chosen with this in mind, or plants should be moved inside to keep their core temperature in the right range if necessary.

USDA growing zone map of the United States

Some zones may have been changed by the USDA as of 2023. To see if the Bay City area has been affected, refer to this map of half zone changes from the 2012 version of the USDA zones to the 2023 version.

map of usda hardiness zone changes from 2012 to 2023

Half zone changes from 2012 to 2023

The updated map shows that over half of the Southeast has warmed by about half a zone. For gardeners, that means you can now grow plants that tolerate a bit more heat and less frost than before. The tan areas reflect this shift. Meanwhile, the white areas had slight temperature changes, but not enough to move them into a new zone. In the Western U.S., a few spots shifted cooler. That’s not due to a colder climate, but because the new map uses a larger dataset, giving a more accurate picture of local conditions. It's important to keep track of these changes when planning your garden!

View this profile on Instagram
The Plant Guide Online (@plantguideonline) • Instagram photos and videos

Hardiness Zone FAQ

Have questions about hardiness zones and what they mean for your garden? Check out our FAQ below for quick answers to common questions about USDA hardiness zones and how they affect plant selection in Bay City, MI.

The USDA hardiness zone is 6a for Bay City. This is sometimes also referred to as the growing or planting zone. These terms are used interchangeably.

Bay City's Growing Zone Details

USDA Growing Zone: 6a

Zip Codes: 48706, 48708

Longitude: -83.8887

Latitude: 43.5902

Lowest Avg Temperatures (F): -10 to -5

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

Metal Arbor Trellis

Decorative arbor trellis for climbing plants and garden entrance.

Seed Starting Trays

Perfect for starting seeds indoors before transplanting to your garden.

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.

Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set

Complete garden tool set with heavy-duty stainless steel tools for all your gardening needs.

Map of the Bay City Area

All Towns In MI

Addison Adrian Advance Ahmeek Akron Alanson Alba Albion Alden Algonac Allegan Allen Allen Park Allendale Alma Almont Alpena Alpha Amasa Ann Arbor Applegate Arcadia Argentine Armada Ashley Athens Atlanta Atlantic Mine Attica Au Gres Au Sable Auburn Auburn Hills Augusta Bad Axe Baldwin Bancroft Bangor Baraga Barnes Lake Baroda Barryton Barton Hills Bath Battle Creek Bay City Bay Port Bay Shore Bay View Beal City Bear Lake Beaverton Beecher Beechwood Belding Bellaire Belleville Bellevue Bendon Benton Harbor Benton Heights Benzonia Bergland Berkley Berrien Springs Bessemer Beulah Beverly Hills Big Bay Big Rapids Bingham Farms Birch Run Birmingham Blissfield Bloomfield Hills Bloomingdale Boon Boyne City Boyne Falls Breckenridge Breedsville Brethren Bridgeport Bridgman Brighton Brimley Britton Bronson Brooklyn Brown City Brownlee Park Bruce Crossing Brutus Buchanan Buckley Buena Vista Burlington Burr Oak Burt Burton Byron Byron Center Caberfae Cadillac Caledonia Calumet Cambria Camden Canada Creek Ranch Canadian Lakes Cannonsburg Capac Carleton Carney Caro Carp Lake Carson City Carsonville Caseville Casnovia Caspian Cass City Cassopolis Cedar Cedar Springs Cement City Center Line Central Lake Centreville Charlevoix Charlotte Chassell Chatham Cheboygan Chelsea Chesaning Chums Corner Clare Clarksville Clawson Clayton Clifford Climax Clinton Clio Coldwater Coleman Coloma Colon Columbiaville Comstock Northwest Comstock Park Concord Constantine Conway Coopersville Copemish Copper City Copper Harbor Corunna Covington Cross Village Croswell Crystal Crystal Downs Country Club Crystal Falls Crystal Mountain Custer Cutlerville Daggett Dansville Davison De Tour Village Dearborn Dearborn Heights Decatur Deckerville Deerfield Delton Detroit Detroit Beach DeWitt Dexter Dimondale Dodgeville Dollar Bay Dorr Douglas Dowagiac Dowling Dryden Dundee Durand Eagle Eagle Harbor Eagle River East Grand Rapids East Jordan East Lansing East Tawas Eastlake Eastpointe Eastport Eastwood Eaton Rapids Eau Claire Ecorse Edgemont Park Edmore Edwardsburg Elberta Elk Rapids Elkton Ellsworth Elm Hall Elsie Emmett Empire Escanaba Essexville Estral Beach Eureka Evart Ewen Fair Plain Fairgrove Falmouth Farmington Farmington Hills Farwell Fennville Fenton Ferndale Ferrysburg Fife Lake Filer City Flat Rock Flint Flushing Forest Hills Forestville Fostoria Fountain Fowler Fowlerville Frankenmuth Frankfort Franklin Fraser Free Soil Freeland Freeport Fremont Fruitport Fulton Gaastra Gagetown Gaines Galesburg Galien Garden Garden City Gaylord Gibraltar Gladstone Gladwin Glen Arbor Gobles Goodrich Grand Beach Grand Blanc Grand Haven Grand Ledge Grand Marais Grand Rapids Grandville Grant Grass Lake Grawn Grayling Greenland Greenville Greilickville Grosse Pointe Grosse Pointe Farms Grosse Pointe Park Grosse Pointe Woods Gwinn Hamtramck Hancock Hanover Harbor Beach Harbor Springs Hardwood Acres Haring Harper Woods Harrietta Harrison Harrisville Hart Hartford Hartland Harvey Haslett Hastings Hazel Park Hemlock Henderson Hermansville Hersey Hesperia Hickory Corners Highland Park Hillman Hillsdale Holland Holly Holt Homer Honor Hopkins Horton Bay Houghton Houghton Lake Howard City Howell Hubbard Lake Hubbardston Hubbell Hudson Hudsonville Huntington Woods Hurontown Ida Imlay City Indian River Inkster Interlochen Ionia Iron Mountain Iron River Ironton Ironwood Ishpeming Ithaca Jackson Jasper Jenison Jennings Jonesville K. I. Sawyer Kalamazoo Kaleva Kalkaska Keego Harbor Kent City Kentwood Kincheloe Kinde Kingsford Kingsley Kingston L'Anse Laingsburg Lake Angelus Lake Ann Lake City Lake Fenton Lake Gogebic Lake Isabella Lake LeAnn Lake Leelanau Lake Linden Lake Michigan Beach Lake Odessa Lake Orion Lake Victoria Lakeport Lakes of the North Lakeview Lakewood Club Lambertville Lamont Lansing Lapeer Lathrup Village Laurium Lawrence Lawton Le Roy Leland Lennon Leonard Leslie Level Park-Oak Park Levering Lewiston Lexington Lincoln Lincoln Park Linden Litchfield Livonia Loomis Lost Lake Woods Lowell Ludington Luna Pier Lupton Luther Lyons Mackinac Island Mackinaw City Madison Heights Mancelona Manchester Manistee Manistee Lake Manistique Manitou Beach-Devils Lake Manton Maple City Maple Grove Maple Rapids Marcellus Marenisco Marine City Marion Marlette Marquette Marshall Martin Marysville Mason Mass City Mattawan Maybee Mayville McBain McBride Mears Mecosta Melvin Melvindale Memphis Mendon Menominee Merrill Mesick Metamora Michiana Michigamme Michigan Center Middletown Middleville Midland Milan Milford Millburg Millers Lake Millersburg Millington Minden City Mio Mohawk Monroe Montague Montgomery Montrose Morenci Morley Morrice Mount Clemens Mount Morris Mount Pleasant Muir Mulliken Munising Muskegon Muskegon Heights Napoleon Nashville Naubinway Negaunee Nessen City New Baltimore New Buffalo New Era New Haven New Lothrop New Troy Newaygo Newberry Niles North Adams North Branch North Muskegon Northport Northview Northville Norton Shores Norway Norwood Novi Nunica Oak Hill Oak Park Oakley Oden Okemos Olivet Omena Omer Onaway Onekama Onsted Ontonagon Ortonville Oscoda Ossineke Otisville Otsego Otter Lake Ovid Owendale Owosso Oxford Painesdale Palmer Palo Parchment Paris Parkdale Parma Paw Paw Paw Paw Lake Pearl Beach Peck Pelkie Pellston Pentwater Perrinton Perry Petersburg Petoskey Pewamo Pierson Pigeon Pilgrim Pinckney Pinconning Pittsford Plainwell Pleasant Ridge Plymouth Ponshewaing Pontiac Port Austin Port Hope Port Huron Port Sanilac Portage Portland Posen Potterville Powers Prescott Presque Isle Harbor Prudenville Quincy Quinnesec Ramsay Rapid City Rapid River Ravenna Reading Reed City Reese Republic Richland Richmond River Rouge Riverdale Riverview Robin Glen-Indiantown Rochester Rochester Hills Rock Rockford Rockland Rockwood Rogers City Romeo Romulus Roosevelt Park Roscommon Rose City Rosebush Roseville Rothbury Royal Oak Ruby Saginaw Saline Sand Lake Sandusky Sanford Saranac Saugatuck Sault Ste. Marie Schoolcraft Scotts Scottville Sebewaing Shaftsburg Shelby Shepherd Sheridan Sherwood Shields Shoreham Shorewood-Tower Hills-Harbert Skanee Skidway Lake Snover South Boardman South Gull Lake South Haven South Lyon South Monroe South Range South Rockwood Southfield Southgate Sparta Spring Arbor Spring Lake Springfield Springport St. Charles St. Clair St. Clair Shores St. Helen St. Ignace St. James St. Johns St. Joseph St. Louis Standish Stanton Stanwood Stephenson Sterling Sterling Heights Stevensville Stockbridge Stony Point Stronach Sturgis Sunfield Suttons Bay Swartz Creek Sylvan Lake Tawas City Taylor Tecumseh Tekonsha Temperance Thompsonville Three Lakes Three Oaks Three Rivers Tower Traverse City Trenton Trimountain Trowbridge Park Troy Trufant Turner Tustin Twin Lake Twining Ubly Union City Unionville Utica Vandalia Vanderbilt Vandercook Lake Vassar Vermontville Vernon Vicksburg Vineyard Lake Wacousta Wakefield Waldron Walker Walkerville Walled Lake Walloon Lake Warren Watersmeet Watervliet Waverly Wayland Wayne Webberville Wedgewood Weidman Wellston West Branch West Ishpeming West Monroe Westland Westphalia Westwood White Cloud White Pigeon White Pine Whitehall Whitmore Lake Whittemore Williamston Winn Wixom Wolf Lake Wolverine Wolverine Lake Woodhaven Woodland Woodland Beach Wyandotte Wyoming Yale Ypsilanti Zeba Zeeland Zilwaukee

Small Greenhouse Kit

Compact greenhouse perfect for small spaces.

Shiitake Mushroom Kit

Grow your own delicious shiitake mushrooms at home.

Metal Seed Storage Box

Organized storage solution for your seed collection.

Hydroponic Garden Grow Kit

Grow fresh herbs and vegetables year-round with this indoor hydroponic garden system.

Rustic Iron Garden Trellis

Sturdy trellis for supporting climbing plants and vines.

Plants For Other States

Looking for the best plants in a different area of the United States? Click on a button below to find plants that are ideal for that state's temperatures.

Raised Garden Planter

Elevated planter for easy access and better drainage.

Deluxe Plastic Watering Can

High-capacity watering can with comfortable grip and precise spout.

Wooden Chicken Coop

Spacious and secure home for your backyard chickens.

Brass Decorative Faucet Handle

Elegant brass handle to enhance your garden faucet.

Worm Composting Kit

Complete kit for starting your own worm composting system.

To see our latest gardening and homesteading projects, you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.