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

Planting zone for 62553 — Oconee, IL

ZIP code 62553 (Oconee, Shelby County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost October 23.

Where ZIP 62553 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 17

First frostOct 23

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 Oconee, 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 Oconee, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 23median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season188 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Pana, IL — 7 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 62553

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 1 – May 15

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 28 – Sep 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 9 – Nov 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 23) 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 62553 came on Mar 10 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).

average
Mar 222026
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 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.

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 Oconee, IL.

Soil in Oconee, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62553 is Oconee — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Oconee 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 62553; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Oconee, IL

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights114nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,750base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation42.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall15 inper year; 22 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: Pana, IL (7 mi away); precipitation: Pana, IL (7 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.

Tower Hill, IL · 11 mi

620116b

Bingham, IL · 12 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62553

What planting zone is ZIP code 62553?

ZIP code 62553 (Oconee, 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 Oconee, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62553 is April 17; after May 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pana station.

When is the first frost in Oconee, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62553 is October 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 188 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62553?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 20 – Mar 6 and set transplants outside around Apr 24 – May 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62553 get?

About 42.3 inches of precipitation a year and 15 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pana station).

How hot do summers get in Oconee, IL?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62553 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Oconee at the center of ZIP 62553: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Oconee, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62553 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Oconee, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62553 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62553 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62553 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.