Planting zone for 62554 — Oreana, IL
ZIP code 62554 (Oreana, Macon County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 22.
Where ZIP 62554 is
Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoomNot 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.
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 ServiceLoading the forecast for Oreana, 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 Oreana, IL
A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 2.
From the NOAA station Decatur Airport, IL — 7 miles away, elevation 676 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 62554
Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) 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 62554 came on Mar 11 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27).
Mar 272026
Mar 11
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
Shrubs 108
Wildflowers & perennials 220
Grasses 178
Vines 9
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 Oreana, IL.
Soil in Oreana, IL
The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62554 is Hartsburg — silty clay loam, poorly drained.
Map unit: Hartsburg silty clay 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 62554; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.
Climate in Oreana, IL
Average high and low, by month
Precipitation by month inches
NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Decatur Airport, IL (7 mi away); precipitation: Decatur Airport, IL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.
Nearby ZIP codes
All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.
Questions about 62554
What planting zone is ZIP code 62554?
ZIP code 62554 (Oreana, 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 Oreana, IL?
The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62554 is April 16; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Decatur Airport station.
When is the first frost in Oreana, IL?
The median first fall frost near 62554 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.
When should I plant tomatoes in 62554?
Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 19 – Mar 5 and set transplants outside around Apr 23 – May 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.
How much rain and snow does 62554 get?
About 36.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Decatur Airport station).
How hot do summers get in Oreana, IL?
The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.
What kind of soil does 62554 have?
The USDA soil survey maps Hartsburg at the center of ZIP 62554: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).
Did spring come early in Oreana, IL in 2026?
Spring leaf-out near 62554 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.
What kind of onions grow in Oreana, IL?
Long-day onions: the longest day near 62554 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).
Did the zone for 62554 change?
Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62554 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.