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

Planting zone for 61416 — Bardolph, IL

ZIP code 61416 (Bardolph, McDonough County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 61416 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 17

First frostOct 22

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bardolph, 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 Bardolph, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 7

Growing season185 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Prairie City 2s, IL — 9 miles away, elevation 650 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 61416

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 61416 came on Mar 11 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

average
Mar 312026
Mar 11

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 6a in Illinois

610 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Illinois, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Bardolph, IL.

Soil in Bardolph, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61416 is Ipava — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ipava silt 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 61416; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bardolph, IL

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights127nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,482base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 04 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation39.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall11 inper year; 13 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: Prairie City 2s, IL (9 mi away); precipitation: Macomb, IL (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Prairie City, IL · 8 mi

614826a

Table Grove, IL · 11 mi

614755b

Sciota, IL · 12 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 61416

What planting zone is ZIP code 61416?

ZIP code 61416 (Bardolph, IL) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Bardolph, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61416 is April 17; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Prairie City 2s station.

When is the first frost in Bardolph, IL?

The median first fall frost near 61416 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 185 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 61416?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 61416 get?

About 39.1 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Macomb station).

How hot do summers get in Bardolph, IL?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 61416 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ipava at the center of ZIP 61416: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Bardolph, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 61416 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bardolph, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 61416 is 15 h 04 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 61416 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 61416 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.