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

Planting zone for 62001 — Alhambra, IL

ZIP code 62001 (Alhambra, Madison 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 5.

Where ZIP 62001 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 5
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 Alhambra, 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 Alhambra, 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 5median — 10% chance by Oct 25
Growing season214 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Alton - Melvin Price L&D, IL — 22 miles away, elevation 404 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 62001

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 10 – Sep 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 62001 came on Mar 6 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

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 Alhambra, IL.

Soil in Alhambra, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62001 is Marine — 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 matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Marine silt loam, 2 to 5 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 62001; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alhambra, IL

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights85nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,168base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 26 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation42.4 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 39 °F, low 22 °F 39°22° JanFebruary: average high 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 45 °F 66°45° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 56 °F 75°56° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 66 °F 84°66° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 69 °F 87°69° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 67 °F 86°67° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 48 °F 68°48° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 37 °F 54°37° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 27 °F 44°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 JanFebruary: 2.33 in precipitation 2.3 FebMarch: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 MarApril: 4.84 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 NovDecember: 2.61 in precipitation 2.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Alton - Melvin Price L&D, IL (22 mi away); precipitation: Staunton 4.3 Ssw, IL (6 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.

620466b
Hamel, IL · 5 mi
620746b
New Douglas, IL · 6 mi
620586b
Livingston, IL · 6 mi
620616b
Marine, IL · 6 mi
620976b
Worden, IL · 7 mi
620886b
Staunton, IL · 10 mi
622496b
Highland, IL · 10 mi
620257a
Edwardsville, IL · 11 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62001

What planting zone is ZIP code 62001?

ZIP code 62001 (Alhambra, 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 Alhambra, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62001 is April 4; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alton - Melvin Price L&D station.

When is the first frost in Alhambra, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62001 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 214 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62001?

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 62001 get?

About 42.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Staunton 4.3 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Alhambra, IL?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62001 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Marine at the center of ZIP 62001: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Alhambra, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62001 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alhambra, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62001 is 14 h 54 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62001 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62001 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.