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

Planting zone for 62440 — Lerna, IL

ZIP code 62440 (Lerna, Coles County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 62440 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 15

First frostOct 24

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 Lerna, 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 Lerna, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 9

Growing season189 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Mattoon Coles Co. Airport, IL — 6 miles away, elevation 722 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 62440

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 62440 came on Mar 10 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

average
Mar 232026
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 Lerna, IL.

Soil in Lerna, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62440 is Senachwine — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Senachwine silt loam, 18 to 35 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 62440; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lerna, IL

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low20 °Faverage low, January

Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights106nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,698base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 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

Precipitation36 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mattoon Coles Co. Airport, IL (6 mi away); precipitation: Mattoon Coles Co. Airport, IL (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Charleston, IL · 10 mi

Westfield, IL · 13 mi

619286a

Gays, IL · 13 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62440

What planting zone is ZIP code 62440?

ZIP code 62440 (Lerna, 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 Lerna, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62440 is April 15; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mattoon Coles Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Lerna, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62440 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 189 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62440?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62440 get?

About 36 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mattoon Coles Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Lerna, IL?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62440 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Senachwine at the center of ZIP 62440: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Lerna, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62440 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lerna, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62440 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.