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

Planting zone for 62473 — Watson, IL

ZIP code 62473 (Watson, Effingham County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 62473 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.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostApr 13
First frostOct 24
2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Watson, 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 Watson, 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 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 9
Growing season191 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Effingham 3sw, IL — 7 miles away, elevation 627 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 62473

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 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 13) 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 62473 came on Mar 10 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20).

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 6b in Illinois

620 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Illinois, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 80

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 222

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 182

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °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 °F

Vines 11

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 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fheartleaf peppervine2 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −8 °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 Watson, IL.

Soil in Watson, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62473 is Ava — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ava silt loam, 2 to 5 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 62473; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Watson, IL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights114nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,936base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 55 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 25 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45 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 37 °F, low 20 °F 37°20° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 JanFebruary: 2.45 in precipitation 2.5 FebMarch: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 MarApril: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 5.16 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 4.18 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Effingham 3sw, IL (7 mi away); precipitation: Watson 0.3 Ne, IL (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

624436b
Mason, IL · 6 mi
624016b
Effingham, IL · 7 mi
624246b
Dieterich, IL · 8 mi
624116b
Altamont, IL · 10 mi
624676b
Teutopolis, IL · 10 mi
624266b
Edgewood, IL · 10 mi
624616b
Shumway, IL · 13 mi
624796b
Wheeler, IL · 14 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62473

What planting zone is ZIP code 62473?

ZIP code 62473 (Watson, IL) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Watson, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62473 is April 13; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Effingham 3sw station.

When is the first frost in Watson, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62473 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 191 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62473?

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 62473 get?

About 45 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Watson 0.3 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Watson, IL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62473 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ava at the center of ZIP 62473: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Watson, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62473 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Watson, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62473 is 14 h 55 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62473 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62473 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.