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

Planting zone for 61322 — Depue, IL

ZIP code 61322 (Depue, Bureau 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 17.

Where ZIP 61322 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 17
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 Depue, 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 Depue, 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 17median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Hennepin Wtr Trmt Plt, IL — 4 miles away, elevation 459 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 61322

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 22 – Sep 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 61322 came on Mar 12 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

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.

Trees 77

Shrubs 102

Wildflowers & perennials 210

Grasses 173

Vines 7

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 Depue, IL.

Soil in Depue, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61322 is Moundprairie — silty clay loam, very poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Moundprairie silty clay loam, undrained, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 61322; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Depue, IL

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights140nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,355base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation38.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 15 °F 33°15° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 18 °F 37°18° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 28 °F 50°28° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 61 °F 85°61° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 20 °F 38°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.95 in precipitation 1.9 JanFebruary: 1.80 in precipitation 1.8 FebMarch: 2.46 in precipitation 2.5 MarApril: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 2.60 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.19 in precipitation 2.2 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 61322

What planting zone is ZIP code 61322?

ZIP code 61322 (Depue, 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 Depue, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61322 is April 24; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hennepin Wtr Trmt Plt station.

When is the first frost in Depue, IL?

The median first fall frost near 61322 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 61322?

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 61322 get?

About 38.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hennepin station).

How hot do summers get in Depue, IL?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 61322 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Moundprairie at the center of ZIP 61322: silty clay loam, very poorly drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Depue, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 61322 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Depue, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 61322 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).