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

Planting zone for 62259 — Menard, IL

ZIP code 62259 (Menard, 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 62259 is

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 Menard, 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 Menard, 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 — 7 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 62259

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 62259 came on Mar 1 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

average
Mar 122026
Mar 1

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.

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 Menard, IL.

Soil in Menard, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62259 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 silt loam, 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 62259; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Menard, 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 32 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation43.9 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: Kaskaskia Rvr Navigation Lock, IL (7 mi away); precipitation: Chester, IL (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

622337a

Chester, IL · 4 mi

622417a

Ellis Grove, IL · 8 mi

636736b

Saint Mary, MO · 10 mi

622977a

Walsh, IL · 10 mi

622887a

Steeleville, IL · 10 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62259

What planting zone is ZIP code 62259?

ZIP code 62259 (Menard, 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 Menard, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62259 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 Menard, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62259 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 202 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62259?

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 62259 get?

About 43.9 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chester station).

How hot do summers get in Menard, 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 62259 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Menfro at the center of ZIP 62259: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Menard, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62259 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 Menard, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62259 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62259 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62259 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.