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

Planting zone for 62468 — Toledo, IL

ZIP code 62468 (Toledo, Cumberland County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 62468 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 16
First frostOct 20
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 Toledo, 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 Toledo, 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 29only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season185 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 4 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Neoga 4nw, IL — 14 miles away, elevation 643 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 62468

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 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 16) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 62468 came on Mar 10 — 12 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

Shrubs 108

Wildflowers & perennials 222

Grasses 182

Vines 11

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 Toledo, IL.

Soil in Toledo, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62468 is Bluford — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Bluford silt loam, 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 62468; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Toledo, IL

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights122nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,752base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 56 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 24 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation42.9 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 19 °F 37°19° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 63 °F 84°63° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 62 °F 86°62° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° NovDecember: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 JanFebruary: 2.29 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 MarApril: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 AprMay: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.88 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 2.99 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 NovDecember: 2.72 in precipitation 2.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Neoga 4nw, IL (14 mi away); precipitation: Neoga, IL (11 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.

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62468

What planting zone is ZIP code 62468?

ZIP code 62468 (Toledo, 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 Toledo, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62468 is April 16; after April 29 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Neoga 4nw station.

When is the first frost in Toledo, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62468 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 185 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62468?

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 62468 get?

About 42.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Neoga station).

How hot do summers get in Toledo, IL?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62468 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bluford at the center of ZIP 62468: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Toledo, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62468 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Toledo, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62468 is 14 h 56 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62468 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62468 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.