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

Planting zone for 60974 — Woodland, IL

ZIP code 60974 (Woodland, Iroquois County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 60974 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 24

First frostOct 16

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 Woodland, 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 Woodland, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Watseka 2 Nw, IL — 6 miles away, elevation 620 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 60974

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22

BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 60974 came on Mar 12 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

average
Apr 12026
Mar 12

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).

Soil in Woodland, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 60974 is Roby — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

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

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Roby 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 60974; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Woodland, IL

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,256base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation40.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall25 inper year; 33 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Watseka 2 Nw, IL (6 mi away); precipitation: Milford 5nw, IL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

609705b

Watseka, IL · 5 mi

609285b

Crescent City, IL · 6 mi

Stockland, IL · 10 mi

Claytonville, IL · 11 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 60974

What planting zone is ZIP code 60974?

ZIP code 60974 (Woodland, 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 Woodland, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 60974 is April 24; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watseka 2 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Woodland, IL?

The median first fall frost near 60974 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 60974?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 60974 get?

About 40.7 inches of precipitation a year and 25 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Milford 5nw station).

How hot do summers get in Woodland, IL?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 60974 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Roby at the center of ZIP 60974: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Woodland, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 60974 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Woodland, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 60974 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).