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

Planting zone for 62078 — Patterson, IL

ZIP code 62078 (Patterson, Greene County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 62078 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 13

First frostOct 22

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 Patterson, 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 Patterson, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 9

Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station White Hall 1 E, IL — 6 miles away, elevation 581 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 62078

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 13) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 62078 came on Mar 10 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
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 Patterson, IL.

Soil in Patterson, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62078 is Atterberry — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Atterberry silt 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 62078; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Patterson, IL

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights120nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,639base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation39.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall18 inper year; 20 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: White Hall 1 E, IL (6 mi away); precipitation: White Hall 1 E, IL (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

626106a

Alsey, IL · 5 mi

620926a

White Hall, IL · 5 mi

Manchester, IL · 9 mi

626946a

Winchester, IL · 10 mi

623526a

Milton, IL · 11 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62078

What planting zone is ZIP code 62078?

ZIP code 62078 (Patterson, 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 Patterson, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62078 is April 13; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, White Hall 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Patterson, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62078 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62078?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 16 – Mar 2 and set transplants outside around Apr 20 – May 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62078 get?

About 39.6 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, White Hall 1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Patterson, IL?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62078 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Atterberry at the center of ZIP 62078: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Patterson, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62078 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Patterson, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62078 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.