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

Planting zone for 62263 — Nashville, IL

ZIP code 62263 (Nashville, Washington County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 26.

Where ZIP 62263 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 7
First frostOct 26
2012 zone6b

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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Nashville, 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 Nashville, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 26median — 10% chance by Oct 14
Growing season201 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Nashville 1 E, IL — 2 miles away, elevation 512 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 62263

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 31 – Sep 14
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 12 – Nov 16
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 26) 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 62263 came on Mar 3 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

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

Shrubs 108

Wildflowers & perennials 222

Grasses 182

Vines 11

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 Nashville, IL.

Soil in Nashville, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62263 is Darmstadt — 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 matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Darmstadt-Coulterville silt loams, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded.

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 62263; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Nashville, IL

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights94nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,027base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 50 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 30 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation42.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall12 inper year; 15 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 39 °F, low 21 °F 39°21° JanFebruary: average high 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° 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 64 °F 84°64° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.68 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 2.7❄4 JanFebruary: 2.15 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 2.1❄4 FebMarch: 3.47 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 3.5❄1 MarApril: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 AprMay: 4.81 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.17 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.2 OctNovember: 3.55 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 3.5❄1 NovDecember: 2.67 in precipitation, 2.5 in snowfall 2.7❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Nashville 1 E, IL (2 mi away); precipitation: Nashville 1 E, IL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62263

What planting zone is ZIP code 62263?

ZIP code 62263 (Nashville, 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 Nashville, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62263 is April 7; after April 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nashville 1 E station.

When is the first frost in Nashville, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62263 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62263?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62263 get?

About 42.2 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nashville 1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Nashville, IL?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62263 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Darmstadt at the center of ZIP 62263: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Nashville, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62263 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Nashville, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62263 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.