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

Planting zone for 62241 — Ellis Grove, IL

ZIP code 62241 (Ellis Grove, Randolph County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 62241 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 8
First frostOct 30
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ellis Grove, 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 Ellis Grove, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 15
Growing season202 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Kaskaskia Rvr Navigation Lock, IL — 4 miles away, elevation 381 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 62241

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 8) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 62241 came on Mar 1 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

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 7a in Illinois

633 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Illinois, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 81

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 110

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 226

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 186

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 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °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 Ellis Grove, IL.

Soil in Ellis Grove, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62241 is Menfro — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Menfro-Westmore silt loams, 18 to 35 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 62241; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ellis Grove, IL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low24 °Faverage low, January
Hot days58days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights99nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,230base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation42.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall4 inper year; 6 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 24 °F 40°24° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 44 °F 68°44° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 37 °F 56°37° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 28 °F 44°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.73 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 2.7❄1 JanFebruary: 2.35 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 2.4❄2 FebMarch: 3.41 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.4 MarApril: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 AprMay: 5.18 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 2.94 in precipitation 2.9 SepOctober: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 OctNovember: 4.01 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 4.0 NovDecember: 2.85 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 2.9❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kaskaskia Rvr Navigation Lock, IL (4 mi away); precipitation: Kaskaskia Rvr Navigation Lock, IL (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

622977a
Walsh, IL · 6 mi
622617a
Modoc, IL · 6 mi
622427a
Evansville, IL · 7 mi
622337a
Chester, IL · 7 mi
622597a
Menard, IL · 8 mi
622887a
Steeleville, IL · 11 mi
622177a
Baldwin, IL · 12 mi
622867a
Sparta, IL · 12 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62241

What planting zone is ZIP code 62241?

ZIP code 62241 (Ellis Grove, IL) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Ellis Grove, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62241 is April 8; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kaskaskia Rvr Navigation Lock station.

When is the first frost in Ellis Grove, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62241 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 202 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62241?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62241 get?

About 42.8 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kaskaskia Rvr Navigation Lock station).

How hot do summers get in Ellis Grove, IL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 58 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62241 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Menfro at the center of ZIP 62241: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ellis Grove, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62241 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ellis Grove, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62241 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62241 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62241 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.