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

Planting zone for 61047 — Leaf River, IL

ZIP code 61047 (Leaf River, Ogle County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 61047 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 29

First frostOct 7

2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Leaf River, 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 Leaf River, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 23

Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Polo 5nw, IL — 14 miles away, elevation 856 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 61047

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 61047 came on Mar 25 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

average
Apr 92026
Mar 25

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 Leaf River, IL.

Soil in Leaf River, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61047 is Dubuque — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Dubuque silt loam, 10 to 18 percent slopes, moderately 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 61047; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Leaf River, IL

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,067base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation38.4 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: Polo 5nw, IL (14 mi away); precipitation: Forreston, IL (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

610395b

German Valley, IL · 5 mi

Mount Morris, IL · 7 mi

610305b

Forreston, IL · 10 mi

610885b

Winnebago, IL · 10 mi

610075a

Baileyville, IL · 10 mi

610845b

Stillman Valley, IL · 11 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 61047

What planting zone is ZIP code 61047?

ZIP code 61047 (Leaf River, 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 Leaf River, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61047 is April 29; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Polo 5nw station.

When is the first frost in Leaf River, IL?

The median first fall frost near 61047 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 61047?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 61047 get?

About 38.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Forreston station).

How hot do summers get in Leaf River, IL?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 61047 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dubuque at the center of ZIP 61047: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Leaf River, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 61047 came on Mar 25 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Leaf River, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 61047 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 61047 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 61047 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.