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

Planting zone for 60484 — University Park, IL

ZIP code 60484 (University Park, Will County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 60484 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostApr 23
First frostOct 20
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for University Park, IL…

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 University Park, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 6
Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Park Forest, IL — 4 miles away, elevation 709 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 60484

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 60484 came on Mar 21 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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 6a in Illinois

610 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Illinois, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 78

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 108

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 220

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 178

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 9

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 University Park, IL.

Soil in University Park, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 60484 is Ozaukee — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.7%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ozaukee silt loam, 6 to 12 percent slopes, eroded.

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 60484; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in University Park, IL

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights126nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,114base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 11 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 10 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation42.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall28 inper year; 46 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 31 °F, low 15 °F 31°15° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 18 °F 35°18° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 42 °F 63°42° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 31 °F 48°31° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 22 °F 36°22° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.49 in precipitation, 10.2 in snowfall 2.5❄10 JanFebruary: 2.15 in precipitation, 7.5 in snowfall 2.1❄8 FebMarch: 2.65 in precipitation, 4.9 in snowfall 2.6❄5 MarApril: 4.02 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 4.0❄1 AprMay: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.91 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.73 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.65 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.6 OctNovember: 3.00 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 3.0❄1 NovDecember: 2.47 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 2.5❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Park Forest, IL (4 mi away); precipitation: Park Forest, IL (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

604716a
Richton Park, IL · 3 mi
604666a
Park Forest, IL · 3 mi
604496a
Monee, IL · 4 mi
604436a
Matteson, IL · 5 mi
604756a
Steger, IL · 5 mi
604616a
Olympia Fields, IL · 6 mi
604126a
Chicago Heights, IL · 6 mi
604176a
Crete, IL · 7 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 60484

What planting zone is ZIP code 60484?

ZIP code 60484 (University Park, IL) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in University Park, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 60484 is April 23; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Park Forest station.

When is the first frost in University Park, IL?

The median first fall frost near 60484 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 60484?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 60484 get?

About 42.1 inches of precipitation a year and 28 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Park Forest station).

How hot do summers get in University Park, IL?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 60484 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ozaukee at the center of ZIP 60484: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in University Park, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 60484 came on Mar 21 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in University Park, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 60484 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 60484 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 60484 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.