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

Planting zone for 62601 — Alexander, IL

ZIP code 62601 (Alexander, Morgan County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 62601 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 19
First frostOct 17
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 Alexander, 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 Alexander, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 7 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Jacksonville 2e, IL — 9 miles away, elevation 610 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 62601

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 62601 came on Mar 10 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

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 Alexander, IL.

Soil in Alexander, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62601 is Assumption — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Assumption silt loam, 5 to 10 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 62601; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alexander, IL

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights128nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,570base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 59 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 21 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation39.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall16 inper year; 23 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 36 °F, low 18 °F 36°18° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 21 °F 41°21° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° MarApril: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° SepOctober: average high 68 °F, low 42 °F 68°42° OctNovember: average high 53 °F, low 32 °F 53°32° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.93 in precipitation, 5.1 in snowfall 1.9❄5 JanFebruary: 1.72 in precipitation, 4.3 in snowfall 1.7❄4 FebMarch: 2.81 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 2.8❄2 MarApril: 4.27 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 4.3 AprMay: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 4.89 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 2.97 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 3.01 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 3.0❄1 NovDecember: 1.98 in precipitation, 3.5 in snowfall 2.0❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Jacksonville 2e, IL (9 mi away); precipitation: Jacksonville 2e, IL (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

626706a
New Berlin, IL · 7 mi
626506a
Jacksonville, IL · 10 mi
626386a
Franklin, IL · 10 mi
626126a
Ashland, IL · 10 mi
626776a
Pleasant Plains, IL · 11 mi
626606a
Literberry, IL · 11 mi
626516a
Jacksonville, IL · 12 mi
626616a
Loami, IL · 13 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62601

What planting zone is ZIP code 62601?

ZIP code 62601 (Alexander, 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 Alexander, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62601 is April 19; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jacksonville 2e station.

When is the first frost in Alexander, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62601 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62601?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62601 get?

About 39.3 inches of precipitation a year and 16 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jacksonville 2e station).

How hot do summers get in Alexander, IL?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62601 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Assumption at the center of ZIP 62601: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Alexander, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62601 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alexander, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62601 is 14 h 59 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.