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

Planting zone for 62253 — Keyesport, IL

ZIP code 62253 (Keyesport, Clinton County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 62253 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 6

First frostOct 29

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 Keyesport, 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 Keyesport, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Carlyle Rsvr, IL — 11 miles away, elevation 502 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 62253

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 62253 came on Mar 6 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

average
Mar 182026
Mar 6

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).

Soil in Keyesport, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62253 is Cisne — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Cisne 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 62253; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Keyesport, IL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights101nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,186base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation41.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall12 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carlyle Rsvr, IL (11 mi away); precipitation: Greenville, IL (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Greenville, IL · 10 mi

622626b

Mulberry Grove, IL · 11 mi

Pocahontas, IL · 14 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62253

What planting zone is ZIP code 62253?

ZIP code 62253 (Keyesport, 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 Keyesport, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62253 is April 6; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carlyle Rsvr station.

When is the first frost in Keyesport, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62253 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62253?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62253 get?

About 41.6 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greenville station).

How hot do summers get in Keyesport, IL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62253 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cisne at the center of ZIP 62253: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Keyesport, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62253 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 Keyesport, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62253 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62253 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62253 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.