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

Planting zone for 62356 — New Canton, IL

ZIP code 62356 (New Canton, Pike County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 62356 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 4
First frostNov 4
2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 New Canton, 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 New Canton, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 23
Growing season212 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Saverton L&D 22, MO — 10 miles away, elevation 472 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 62356

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 62356 came on Mar 9 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22).

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 New Canton, IL.

Soil in New Canton, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62356 is Wakeland — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Wakeland silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 62356; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Canton, IL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days37days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights105nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,121base 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
Precipitation38.5 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 37 °F, low 21 °F 37°21° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 33 °F 53°33° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 55 °F 75°55° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 47 °F 68°47° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 36 °F 54°36° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 26 °F 42°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.89 in precipitation 1.9 JanFebruary: 2.03 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 MarApril: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 2.93 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 2.59 in precipitation 2.6 NovDecember: 2.05 in precipitation 2.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Saverton L&D 22, MO (10 mi away); precipitation: Saverton L&D 22, MO (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

634336b
Ashburn, MO · 6 mi
623706b
Rockport, IL · 6 mi
623456a
Kinderhook, IL · 8 mi
623126a
Barry, IL · 9 mi
633536a
Louisiana, MO · 9 mi
634676b
Saverton, MO · 11 mi
623436b
Hull, IL · 12 mi
623666b
Pleasant Hill, IL · 12 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62356

What planting zone is ZIP code 62356?

ZIP code 62356 (New Canton, 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 New Canton, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62356 is April 4; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saverton L&D 22 station.

When is the first frost in New Canton, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62356 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 212 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62356?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62356 get?

About 38.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saverton L&D 22 station).

How hot do summers get in New Canton, IL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 37 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62356 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wakeland at the center of ZIP 62356: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in New Canton, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62356 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Canton, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62356 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62356 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62356 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.