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

Planting zone for 62558 — Pawnee, IL

ZIP code 62558 (Pawnee, Sangamon 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 20.

Where ZIP 62558 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 20

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 Pawnee, 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 Pawnee, 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 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Morrisonville, IL — 12 miles away, elevation 630 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 62558

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 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 12) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 62558 came on Mar 10 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

average
Mar 252026
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 Pawnee, IL.

Soil in Pawnee, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62558 is Ipava — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ipava 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 62558; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pawnee, IL

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days25days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights122nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,803base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 58 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 22 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation40.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall14 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Morrisonville, IL (12 mi away); precipitation: Kincaid 3w, IL (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Rochester, IL · 10 mi

625336a

Farmersville, IL · 11 mi

626156a

Auburn, IL · 11 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62558

What planting zone is ZIP code 62558?

ZIP code 62558 (Pawnee, 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 Pawnee, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62558 is April 12; after April 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morrisonville station.

When is the first frost in Pawnee, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62558 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62558?

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 62558 get?

About 40.7 inches of precipitation a year and 14 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kincaid 3w station).

How hot do summers get in Pawnee, IL?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 25 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62558 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ipava at the center of ZIP 62558: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Pawnee, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62558 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pawnee, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62558 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.