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

Planting zone for 61479 — Speer, IL

ZIP code 61479 (Speer, Stark County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 61479 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostApr 22

First frostOct 14

2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Speer, 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 Speer, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Princeville, IL — 8 miles away, elevation 751 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 61479

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 61479 came on Mar 11 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

average
Apr 32026
Mar 11

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 5b in Illinois

584 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Illinois, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 Speer, IL.

Soil in Speer, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61479 is Catlin — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Catlin silt loam, 5 to 10 percent slopes, eroded.

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 61479; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Speer, IL

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, January

Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,345base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 13 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation38.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Princeville, IL (8 mi away); precipitation: Dunlap 2.6 Ne, IL (8 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.

614245b

Camp Grove, IL · 5 mi

Chillicothe, IL · 8 mi

614265b

Castleton, IL · 9 mi

615595b

Princeville, IL · 9 mi

615255b

Dunlap, IL · 11 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 61479

What planting zone is ZIP code 61479?

ZIP code 61479 (Speer, IL) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Speer, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61479 is April 22; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Princeville station.

When is the first frost in Speer, IL?

The median first fall frost near 61479 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 61479?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 61479 get?

About 38.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dunlap 2.6 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Speer, IL?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 61479 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Catlin at the center of ZIP 61479: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Speer, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 61479 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Speer, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 61479 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).