Zones to Grow Soybeans in Michigan

Zone 5

• The bulk of soybean growth in Michigan is within U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zone 5. This zone represents areas in Michigan with average winter temperatures from minus 10 to minus 20 F. The zone is within the bottom half of the state and extends up the left side of the state near Lake Michigan. Counties such as Lenawee, Saginaw and Sanilac produce the most soybeans in the state, according to Michigan State University.

Zone 6

• USDA Hardiness Zone 6 is on the westernmost and easternmost sections of Michigan. Within the state, the zone represents areas with an average winter temperature of 0 to minus 10 F. The zone provides the ideal temperature and soil for growing soybeans and includes from 1,100 to 90,000 acres of soybean fields. The zone includes the westernmost sections of Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon, Oceana and Mason counties. Located in the easternmost part of Michigan, counties that feature sections of Zone 6 temperatures are Huron, Sanilac, St. Claire, Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw.

Other Zones

• Soybeans are rarely grown in central and northern regions of Michigan due to frigid temperatures common throughout those areas. USDA Hardiness Zones 3, 4 and 5 are within those regions. They represent winter temperatures ranging from minus10 to minus 40 F. While Michigan's northern counties feature temperatures similar to temperatures in the southern, soybean-rich parts of the state, maps provided by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service show very little soybean harvest within those counties.