I realize it snowed last week, but that’s just how it works around here — almost no discernible transition between the final frost (knock on wood) and spring planting season.

But there’s something you should know before diving in this year: Planting zone maps have changed since last summer.

Planting zones help gardeners identify which types of perennial plants can survive and thrive in their area. They’re intended more as a general guide than a hard-and-fast rule: factors like soil, humidity, heat, wind and other natural conditions play a role as well.

What changed? Based on data from thousands of new weather stations, the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map was updated in November of 2023 for the first time since 2012.

This version of the map is searchable and interactive — play around with it a bit.

Popular native plants in our zone include purple coneflower, blazing star and black-eyed susan. Here are some helpful resources for finding other plants that should do well locally:

And here are some native plant sales coming up in the area:

🌻 Spring 2024 Tree & Native Plant Sale: Tree and shrub orders for the Kane-DuPage Soil & Water Conservation District’s sale are due TOMORROW. Plant orders are due May 17. Pickup days are April 19 and May 24, respectively.

🌻 Kane Native Plant Sale: April 27, 8AM-12PM | LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, STC | Event info (online ordering available through this Monday)

🌻 Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners Plant Sale: May 11, 9AM-12PM | Bethany Lutheran Church, Batavia | Often sold out by 11AM.

🌻 Wild Ones Native Plant Sale: May 18, 9AM-2PM | Gray Willows Farm, Campton Hills | Event info

🌻 Hickory Knolls Native Plant Sale: June 1, 9AM-2PM | Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, STC | Event info

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☑️ Patio season: It’s starting to look like a proposal to close Walnut Avenue in downtown St. Charles for outdoor dining during the spring and summer months will move forward.

☑️ Sex-crazed cicadas: Remember the huge cicada emergence happening later this spring? Apparently, some could be infected with a fungus causing them to “frantically mate even after their genitals fall off” (wish I was making this up).

🔒 Tax debate: A proposed resolution calls for instituting a new 1% sales tax in Kane County, but a decision about including a referendum on the November ballot has been delayed.

☑️ Criminal charges: A Batavia Police investigation identified two adult offenders (aged 19 and 20) and three juvenile offenders responsible for $75K in burglary and property damage between December 2022 and April 2023.

☑️ Historic landmark: The long-vacant Campana building in Batavia sold in a foreclosure auction last week for $3.9M. The buyer is not known.

☑️ A special place: Great to see folks out celebrating the St. Charles Norris Woods Nature Preserve’s induction into the national Old Growth Forest Network last weekend.

🔒 Housing development: After sitting vacant for several years, the former lamp factory building at 13th and Indiana avenues in St. Charles is on track to be redeveloped into apartments.

☑️ Misfit-su: Before launching The Misfits Jiujitsu of St. Charles, Brad Edmondson overcame serious mental health challenges — which he draws from in helping his students achieve both physical and emotional well-being.

☑️ Local star scholar: Riley Trendler — a St. Charles North grad now majoring in nuclear, plasma and radiological engineering at U of I — has been awarded a prestigious Goldwater scholarship.

☑️ Flushing schedule: Hydrant flushing is in progress on Batavia’s west side through April 19. The city will be doing the east side from April 22 to May 3.

☑️ Supplying essentials: Batavia United Way is running a spring cleaning supplies drive (items not covered by SNAP benefits) for neighbors in need. Drop-off begins Monday at two locations.

It’s time to get geared up for well over 40 live music performances across the Tri-Cities this week (including Sunflower Headlights at Sidecar Supper Club — pictured above).

It looks like the weather will be beautiful on Saturday and Sunday too, so hopefully we get an opportunity to enjoy some patio jams!

☑️ Beers n’ views: One of our favorite summer spots — Alter Brewing’s riverfront patio in downtown St. Charles — is now open.

🔒 Approachable luxury: Lauren Christine Hair Artistry — Geneva’s newest haircare salon — is now accepting customers and celebrating with a ribbon cutting today at 4PM.

☑️ New healthcare facility: WellNow Urgent Care is opening a St. Charles location at 2600 E. Main Street with a ribbon cutting planned for April 23.

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☑️ 18th Annual Touch-A-Tractor | 12PM Fri to 3PM Sun | Kane County Farm Bureau, STC | Bring the kids for fun activities and to see tractors, farming equipment, farm animals and more.

☑️ Good Green Earth Popup | 12PM Fri to 4PM Sat | Urban Apothecary, Batavia | Head to downtown Batavia to immerse yourself in all things natural, from beverages and skincare products to indoor plants and yoga.

☑️ Second Fridays | Friday, 6-9PM | Arts District, Batavia | An all-encompassing community experience with live music, local art, painting/pottery classes, food/drink and shopping.

🎟️ Plot Twist Trivia Night | Friday, 7-10PM | Geneva Public Library | An entertaining fundraiser for the Geneva Library Foundation with drinks and light refreshments.

☑️ St. Charles Shop Crawl | Sat-Sun | Find incredible deals at 16 shops and enter to win an exciting grand prize all while supporting local St. Charles businesses.

☑️ Geneva French Market | Sundays, 9AM-2PM | 4th & South Street | The popular weekly outdoor farmer’s market is back for another season!

🎟️ Fabyan Windmill — An Engineering Treasure | Sunday, 9:30AM-1:30PM | Creek Bend Nature Center, STC | Embrace a a journey beyond the history and delve into the design, preservation, and engineering of the restored 19th century windmill.

🎟️ Batavia History Trolley | Sunday, 1:30PM | Depot Museum | Ride in a historic, open-air trolley for a guided Batavia history tour.

🌨️ Today: High 56F | Low 45F | Back to yucky

⛅ Friday: High 59F | Low 41F | Early showers

🌤️ Saturday: High 68F | Low 53F | Spectacular

🌤️ Sunday: High 80F | Low 51F | EIGHTY!

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