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

Planting zone for 62843 — Golden Gate, IL

ZIP code 62843 (Golden Gate, Wayne County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 62843 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 7
First frostOct 26
2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Golden Gate, 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 Golden Gate, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Fairfield Radio Wfiw, IL — 7 miles away, elevation 430 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 62843

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 62843 came on Mar 6 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15).

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 Golden Gate, IL.

Soil in Golden Gate, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62843 is Wynoose — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Wynoose silt loam, bench, 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 62843; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Golden Gate, IL

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days44days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights99nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,412base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 29 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation46 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 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° MarApril: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 68 °F 90°68° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 58 °F 83°58° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 29 °F 45°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 3.33 in precipitation 3.3 JanFebruary: 2.68 in precipitation 2.7 FebMarch: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 MarApril: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.70 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 2.90 in precipitation 2.9 SepOctober: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Fairfield Radio Wfiw, IL (7 mi away); precipitation: Fairfield Radio Wfiw, 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.

628336b
Ellery, IL · 3 mi
628066b
Albion, IL · 6 mi
624466b
Mount Erie, IL · 7 mi
628376b
Fairfield, IL · 9 mi
628206b
Burnt Prairie, IL · 9 mi
628096b
Barnhill, IL · 10 mi
628426b
Geff, IL · 12 mi
628447a
Grayville, IL · 12 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62843

What planting zone is ZIP code 62843?

ZIP code 62843 (Golden Gate, 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 Golden Gate, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62843 is April 7; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairfield Radio Wfiw station.

When is the first frost in Golden Gate, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62843 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62843?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62843 get?

About 46 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fairfield Radio Wfiw station).

How hot do summers get in Golden Gate, IL?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 44 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62843 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wynoose at the center of ZIP 62843: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Golden Gate, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62843 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Golden Gate, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62843 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.