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

Planting zone for 62567 — Stonington, IL

ZIP code 62567 (Stonington, Christian County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 62567 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 14
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 Stonington, 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 Stonington, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 1only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 11
Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Decatur Wtp, IL — 18 miles away, elevation 640 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 62567

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
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 14) 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 62567 came on Mar 11 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

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.

Trees 78

Shrubs 108

Wildflowers & perennials 220

Grasses 178

Vines 9

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 Stonington, IL.

Soil in Stonington, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62567 is Denny — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Denny 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 62567; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stonington, IL

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights110nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,664base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 59 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
Precipitation41.8 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 34 °F, low 20 °F 34°20° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 24 °F 39°24° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 33 °F 51°33° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 43 °F 63°43° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 63 °F 82°63° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 67 °F 85°67° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 65 °F 84°65° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 46 °F 65°46° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 34 °F 50°34° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 25 °F 39°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.50 in precipitation 2.5 JanFebruary: 2.00 in precipitation 2.0 FebMarch: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 MarApril: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 4.94 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 AugSeptember: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 SepOctober: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 OctNovember: 3.24 in precipitation 3.2 NovDecember: 2.22 in precipitation 2.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Decatur Wtp, IL (18 mi away); precipitation: Taylorville 2se, IL (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62567

What planting zone is ZIP code 62567?

ZIP code 62567 (Stonington, 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 Stonington, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62567 is April 14; after May 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Decatur Wtp station.

When is the first frost in Stonington, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62567 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62567?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62567 get?

About 41.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Taylorville 2se station).

How hot do summers get in Stonington, 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 62567 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Denny at the center of ZIP 62567: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Stonington, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62567 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 Stonington, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62567 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.