Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 61944 — Paris, IL

ZIP code 61944 (Paris, Edgar County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 61944 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 21

First frostOct 20

2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Paris, 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 Paris, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Paris Stp, IL — 2 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 61944

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 61944 came on Mar 10 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

average
Mar 252026
Mar 10

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 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.

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 Paris, IL.

Soil in Paris, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61944 is Drummer — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter5.5%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Drummer 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 61944; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Paris, IL

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights116nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,354base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation42.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall19 inper year; 25 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Paris Stp, IL (2 mi away); precipitation: Paris Stp, IL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Saint Bernice, IN · 12 mi

478636a

New Goshen, IN · 13 mi

619246a

Chrisman, IL · 13 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 61944

What planting zone is ZIP code 61944?

ZIP code 61944 (Paris, 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 Paris, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61944 is April 21; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paris Stp station.

When is the first frost in Paris, IL?

The median first fall frost near 61944 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 61944?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 61944 get?

About 42.7 inches of precipitation a year and 19 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paris Stp station).

How hot do summers get in Paris, IL?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 61944 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Drummer at the center of ZIP 61944: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Paris, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 61944 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Paris, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 61944 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.