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

Planting zone for 61744 — Gridley, IL

ZIP code 61744 (Gridley, McLean County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 61744 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 23
First frostOct 15
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 Gridley, 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 Gridley, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 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 Chenoa, IL — 9 miles away, elevation 719 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 61744

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 61744 came on Mar 12 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

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 Gridley, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61744 is Varna — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.25%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Varna silt loam, 2 to 4 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 61744; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gridley, IL

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights127nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,234base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation36.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall20 inper year; 29 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 15 °F 32°15° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 19 °F 37°19° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 29 °F 49°29° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 51 °F 73°51° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 31 °F 49°31° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 21 °F 37°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.17 in precipitation, 5.3 in snowfall 2.2❄5 JanFebruary: 1.59 in precipitation, 4.8 in snowfall 1.6❄5 FebMarch: 2.68 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 2.7❄2 MarApril: 3.57 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 3.6❄1 AprMay: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 3.13 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 OctNovember: 2.63 in precipitation, 1.3 in snowfall 2.6❄1 NovDecember: 2.03 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 2.0❄5 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

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

617385b
El Paso, IL · 8 mi
617265b
Chenoa, IL · 9 mi
617536a
Lexington, IL · 9 mi
617405b
Flanagan, IL · 10 mi
617486a
Hudson, IL · 10 mi
617435b
Graymont, IL · 11 mi
617766a
Towanda, IL · 12 mi
617605b
Minonk, IL · 13 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 61744

What planting zone is ZIP code 61744?

ZIP code 61744 (Gridley, 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 Gridley, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61744 is April 23; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chenoa station.

When is the first frost in Gridley, IL?

The median first fall frost near 61744 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 61744?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 61744 get?

About 36.3 inches of precipitation a year and 20 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chenoa station).

How hot do summers get in Gridley, IL?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 61744 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Varna at the center of ZIP 61744: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Gridley, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 61744 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gridley, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 61744 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).