Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 61928 — Gays, IL

ZIP code 61928 (Gays, Moultrie 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 61928 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 16

First frostOct 22

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 Gays, 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 Gays, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season187 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 5 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Windsor, IL — 5 miles away, elevation 689 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 61928

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

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 61928 came on Mar 10 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
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 Gays, IL.

Soil in Gays, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 61928 is Drummer — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter5.5%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Drummer-Milford silty clay loams, 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 61928; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gays, IL

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,553base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation41.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall14 inper year; 21 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

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

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Strasburg, IL · 11 mi

Stewardson, IL · 13 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 61928

What planting zone is ZIP code 61928?

ZIP code 61928 (Gays, 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 Gays, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 61928 is April 16; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Windsor station.

When is the first frost in Gays, IL?

The median first fall frost near 61928 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 187 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 61928?

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 61928 get?

About 41.2 inches of precipitation a year and 14 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Windsor station).

How hot do summers get in Gays, IL?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 61928 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Drummer at the center of ZIP 61928: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Gays, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 61928 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gays, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 61928 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.