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

Planting zone for 61375 — Varna, IL

ZIP code 61375 (Varna, Marshall County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 61375 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 20
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 Varna, 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 Varna, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 3
Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Lacon, IL — 9 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 61375

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11
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 20) 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 61375 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).

Soil in Varna, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61375 is Graymont — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Graymont silt loam, 2 to 5 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 61375; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Varna, IL

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights121nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,652base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 13 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall18 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 18 °F 34°18° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 22 °F 38°22° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 31 °F 51°31° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 44 °F 67°44° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 33 °F 51°33° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.88 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 1.9❄7 JanFebruary: 1.57 in precipitation, 3.8 in snowfall 1.6❄4 FebMarch: 2.40 in precipitation, 2.8 in snowfall 2.4❄3 MarApril: 3.77 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.8❄1 AprMay: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 2.78 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 2.8❄1 NovDecember: 1.90 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 1.9❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Lacon, IL (9 mi away); precipitation: Varna, IL (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

615415b
La Rose, IL · 4 mi
613365b
Magnolia, IL · 6 mi
613695b
Toluca, IL · 6 mi
615405b
Lacon, IL · 7 mi
613355b
Mc Nabb, IL · 9 mi
615705b
Washburn, IL · 9 mi
613775b
Wenona, IL · 11 mi
613345b
Lostant, IL · 11 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 61375

What planting zone is ZIP code 61375?

ZIP code 61375 (Varna, 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 Varna, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61375 is April 20; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lacon station.

When is the first frost in Varna, IL?

The median first fall frost near 61375 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 61375?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 61375 get?

About 37.1 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Varna station).

How hot do summers get in Varna, IL?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 61375 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Graymont at the center of ZIP 61375: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Varna, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 61375 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 Varna, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 61375 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).