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

Planting zone for 62358 — Niota, IL

ZIP code 62358 (Niota, Hancock County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 62358 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 12
First frostOct 25
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 Niota, 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 Niota, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 12median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season194 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Ft Madison, IA — 4 miles away, elevation 532 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 62358

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 22
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 12) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 62358 came on Mar 11 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

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.

Trees 78

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 108

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 220

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 178

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 9

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Niota, IL.

Soil in Niota, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62358 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 62358; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Niota, IL

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low17 °Faverage low, January
Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights110nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,602base 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)
Precipitation39.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall18 inper year; 32 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 21 °F 38°21° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 32 °F 50°32° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 43 °F 62°43° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 54 °F 72°54° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 63 °F 82°63° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 68 °F 85°68° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 66 °F 84°66° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 57 °F 77°57° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 45 °F 64°45° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 33 °F 50°33° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 1.69 in precipitation, 6.1 in snowfall 1.7❄6 JanFebruary: 1.93 in precipitation, 4.6 in snowfall 1.9❄5 FebMarch: 2.72 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 2.7❄2 MarApril: 3.97 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 4.0❄1 AprMay: 5.11 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 5.16 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.06 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.1 OctNovember: 2.43 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 2.4❄1 NovDecember: 1.92 in precipitation, 4.3 in snowfall 1.9❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ft Madison, IA (4 mi away); precipitation: Ft Madison, IA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

623296a
Colusa, IL · 5 mi
623546a
Nauvoo, IL · 6 mi
526276a
Fort Madison, IA · 7 mi
623306a
Dallas City, IL · 7 mi
526586a
Wever, IA · 8 mi
623366a
Ferris, IL · 10 mi
623416a
Hamilton, IL · 11 mi
526246a
Denmark, IA · 11 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62358

What planting zone is ZIP code 62358?

ZIP code 62358 (Niota, 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 Niota, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62358 is April 12; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Madison station.

When is the first frost in Niota, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62358 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 194 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62358?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 15 – Mar 1 and set transplants outside around Apr 19 – May 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62358 get?

About 39.4 inches of precipitation a year and 18 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ft Madison station).

How hot do summers get in Niota, IL?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62358 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Atterberry at the center of ZIP 62358: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Niota, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62358 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Niota, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 62358 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 62358 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62358 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.