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

Planting zone for 61776 — Towanda, IL

ZIP code 61776 (Towanda, McLean County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 16.

Where ZIP 61776 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 25
First frostOct 16
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 Towanda, 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 Towanda, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 2
Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Normal 4ne, IL — 4 miles away, elevation 791 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 61776

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23
BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 21 – Sep 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 61776 came on Mar 12 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

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 Towanda, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61776 is Sable — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter4.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Sable silty clay 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 61776; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Towanda, IL

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,354base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 05 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)
Precipitation38.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 16 °F 33°16° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 19 °F 38°19° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 28 °F 50°28° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 31 °F 50°31° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 21 °F 38°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.23 in precipitation 2.2 JanFebruary: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 FebMarch: 2.61 in precipitation 2.6 MarApril: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 AprMay: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 2.69 in precipitation 2.7 NovDecember: 2.27 in precipitation 2.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Normal 4ne, IL (4 mi away); precipitation: Normal 3.6 Ne, IL (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

617026a
Bloomington, IL · 4 mi
617916a
Bloomington, IL · 4 mi
617586a
Merna, IL · 4 mi
617616a
Normal, IL · 5 mi
617536a
Lexington, IL · 6 mi
617996a
Bloomington, IL · 7 mi
617486a
Hudson, IL · 8 mi
617306a
Cooksville, IL · 8 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 61776

What planting zone is ZIP code 61776?

ZIP code 61776 (Towanda, 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 Towanda, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61776 is April 25; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Normal 4ne station.

When is the first frost in Towanda, IL?

The median first fall frost near 61776 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 61776?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 61776 get?

About 38.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Normal 3.6 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Towanda, 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 61776 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sable at the center of ZIP 61776: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Towanda, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 61776 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Towanda, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 61776 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 61776 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 61776 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.