Planting zone for 61417 — Berwick, IL
ZIP code 61417 (Berwick, Warren County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 19.
Where ZIP 61417 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Berwick, 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 Berwick, IL
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 27.
From the NOAA station Avon, IL — 9 miles away, elevation 640 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 61417
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 61417 came on Mar 15 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).
Apr 12026
Mar 15
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 Berwick, IL.
Soil in Berwick, IL
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61417 is Sawmill — silty clay loam, poorly drained.
Map unit: Sawmill silty clay loam, 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 61417; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Berwick, IL
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Avon, IL (9 mi away); precipitation: Avon, 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.
Questions about 61417
What planting zone is ZIP code 61417?
ZIP code 61417 (Berwick, 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 Berwick, IL?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61417 is April 22; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Avon station.
When is the first frost in Berwick, IL?
The median first fall frost near 61417 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 61417?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 61417 get?
About 37.6 inches of precipitation a year and 24 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Avon station).
How hot do summers get in Berwick, IL?
The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 61417 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Sawmill at the center of ZIP 61417: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).
Did spring come early in Berwick, IL in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 61417 came on Mar 15 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Berwick, IL?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 61417 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).