Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 60935 — Essex, IL

ZIP code 60935 (Essex, Kankakee County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 60935 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostApr 27

First frostOct 15

2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Essex, 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 Essex, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 30

Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Dwight, IL — 13 miles away, elevation 627 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 60935

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 27) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 60935 came on Mar 19 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
Mar 19

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 5b in Illinois

584 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Illinois, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

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 Essex, IL.

Soil in Essex, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 60935 is Granby — fine sandy loam, poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Granby fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

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 60935; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Essex, IL

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,037base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation38.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dwight, IL (13 mi away); precipitation: Coal City 0.4 N, IL (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

609695b

Union Hill, IL · 4 mi

609615b

Reddick, IL · 5 mi

604745b

South Wilmington, IL · 5 mi

609135b

Bonfield, IL · 6 mi

604075b

Braceville, IL · 6 mi

Buckingham, IL · 9 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 60935

What planting zone is ZIP code 60935?

ZIP code 60935 (Essex, IL) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Essex, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 60935 is April 27; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dwight station.

When is the first frost in Essex, IL?

The median first fall frost near 60935 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 60935?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 60935 get?

About 38.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Coal City 0.4 N station).

How hot do summers get in Essex, 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 60935 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Granby at the center of ZIP 60935: fine sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Essex, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 60935 came on Mar 19 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Essex, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 60935 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).