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

Planting zone for 62534 — Findlay, IL

ZIP code 62534 (Findlay, Shelby County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 62534 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 10

First frostOct 24

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 Findlay, 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 Findlay, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season195 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Shelbyville Dam, IL — 9 miles away, elevation 650 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 62534

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 62534 came on Mar 11 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
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 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 Findlay, IL.

Soil in Findlay, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62534 is Flanagan — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Flanagan silt loam.

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 62534; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Findlay, IL

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low19 °Faverage low, January

Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights114nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,769base 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

Precipitation42.5 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: Shelbyville Dam, IL (9 mi away); precipitation: Shelbyville 0.5 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.

619146a

Bethany, IL · 7 mi

625656a

Shelbyville, IL · 8 mi

Assumption, IL · 12 mi

619256a

Dalton City, IL · 13 mi

625716b

Tower Hill, IL · 13 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62534

What planting zone is ZIP code 62534?

ZIP code 62534 (Findlay, 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 Findlay, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62534 is April 10; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelbyville Dam station.

When is the first frost in Findlay, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62534 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 195 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62534?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62534 get?

About 42.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelbyville 0.5 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Findlay, IL?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62534 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Flanagan at the center of ZIP 62534: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Findlay, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62534 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Findlay, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62534 is 14 h 58 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.