Planting zone for 61610 — Creve Coeur, IL
ZIP code 61610 (Creve Coeur, Tazewell County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 23.
Where ZIP 61610 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Creve Coeur, 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 Creve Coeur, IL
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 2.
From the NOAA station Peoria Gtr Peoria Airport, IL — 5 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 61610
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 61610 came on Mar 11 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).
Mar 312026
Mar 11
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.
Trees 78
Shrubs 108
Wildflowers & perennials 220
Grasses 178
Vines 9
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 Creve Coeur, IL.
Soil in Creve Coeur, IL
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61610 is Senachwine — loam, well drained.
Map unit: Senachwine-Hennepin loams, 18 to 35 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 61610; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Creve Coeur, IL
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Peoria Gtr Peoria Airport, IL (5 mi away); precipitation: Peoria Gtr Peoria Airport, IL (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.
Questions about 61610
What planting zone is ZIP code 61610?
ZIP code 61610 (Creve Coeur, 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 Creve Coeur, IL?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61610 is April 16; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Peoria Gtr Peoria Airport station.
When is the first frost in Creve Coeur, IL?
The median first fall frost near 61610 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 61610?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 61610 get?
About 37.5 inches of precipitation a year and 26 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Peoria Gtr Peoria Airport station).
How hot do summers get in Creve Coeur, 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 61610 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Senachwine at the center of ZIP 61610: loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).
Did spring come early in Creve Coeur, IL in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 61610 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 Creve Coeur, IL?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 61610 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 61610 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 61610 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.