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

Planting zone for 62565 — Shelbyville, IL

ZIP code 62565 (Shelbyville, Shelby County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 62565 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostApr 10
First frostOct 24
2012 zone6a

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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season195 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Shelbyville Dam, IL — 2 miles away, elevation 650 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 62565

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 62565 came on Mar 10 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

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 6a in Illinois

610 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Illinois, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 78

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 220

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 178

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °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 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Vines 9

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 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low 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 Shelbyville, IL.

Soil in Shelbyville, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62565 is Drummer — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter5.5%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Drummer silty clay 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 62565; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shelbyville, IL

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low19 °Faverage low, January
Hot days26days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights114nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,769base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 57 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 23 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation42.5 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 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 43 °F 64°43° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 67 °F 86°67° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 34 °F 52°34° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 JanFebruary: 2.14 in precipitation 2.1 FebMarch: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 MarApril: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 AprMay: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 5.01 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 NovDecember: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Shelbyville Dam, IL (2 mi away); precipitation: Shelbyville 0.5 Ne, IL (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

624386b
Lakewood, IL · 7 mi
625346a
Findlay, IL · 8 mi
625716b
Tower Hill, IL · 9 mi
624656b
Strasburg, IL · 10 mi
624446b
Mode, IL · 10 mi
619576a
Windsor, IL · 10 mi
624226b
Cowden, IL · 13 mi
625106a
Assumption, IL · 14 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62565

What planting zone is ZIP code 62565?

ZIP code 62565 (Shelbyville, IL) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Shelbyville, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62565 is April 10; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelbyville Dam station.

When is the first frost in Shelbyville, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62565 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 195 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62565?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62565 get?

About 42.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelbyville 0.5 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Shelbyville, IL?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 26 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62565 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Drummer at the center of ZIP 62565: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Shelbyville, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62565 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shelbyville, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62565 is 14 h 57 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.