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

Planting zone for 61559 — Princeville, IL

ZIP code 61559 (Princeville, Stark 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 14.

Where ZIP 61559 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 22
First frostOct 14
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 Princeville, 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 Princeville, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Princeville, IL — within 1 mile, elevation 751 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 61559

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 61559 came on Mar 10 — 24 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

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 102

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 210

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 173

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 7

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Princeville, IL.

Soil in Princeville, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61559 is Sylvan — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Sylvan silty clay loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, severely 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 61559; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Princeville, IL

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,345base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 07 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation38.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall20 inper year; 30 days with snow on the ground

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 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 41 °F 65°41° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 30 °F 51°30° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 20 °F 37°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.18 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 2.2❄5 JanFebruary: 1.90 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 1.9❄6 FebMarch: 2.42 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 2.4❄2 MarApril: 3.67 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.7 AprMay: 5.05 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 2.40 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 2.4❄1 NovDecember: 2.05 in precipitation, 6.4 in snowfall 2.0❄6 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

615255b
Dunlap, IL · 8 mi
615175b
Brimfield, IL · 8 mi
615265b
Edelstein, IL · 8 mi
614515b
Laura, IL · 8 mi
614795b
Speer, IL · 9 mi
614915b
Wyoming, IL · 10 mi
615285b
Edwards, IL · 10 mi
616385b
Peoria, IL · 12 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 61559

What planting zone is ZIP code 61559?

ZIP code 61559 (Princeville, 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 Princeville, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61559 is April 22; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Princeville station.

When is the first frost in Princeville, IL?

The median first fall frost near 61559 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 61559?

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 61559 get?

About 38.8 inches of precipitation a year and 20 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Princeville station).

How hot do summers get in Princeville, IL?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 61559 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sylvan at the center of ZIP 61559: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Princeville, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 61559 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Princeville, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 61559 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).