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

Planting zone for 62801 — Centralia, IL

ZIP code 62801 (Centralia, Marion County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 62801 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 9
First frostOct 24
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 Centralia, 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 Centralia, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 10
Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Iuka 12 Sw, IL — 9 miles away, elevation 591 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 62801

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
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 9) 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 62801 came on Mar 2 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17).

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 Centralia, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62801 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 62801; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Centralia, IL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights109nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,921base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 51 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 28 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall7 inper year

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 24 °F 44°24° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° MarApril: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 45 °F 69°45° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 34 °F 55°34° NovDecember: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.08 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 3.1❄2 JanFebruary: 2.53 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 2.5❄2 FebMarch: 3.81 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.8❄1 MarApril: 5.02 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 5.12 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 3.11 in precipitation 3.1 AugSeptember: 3.46 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.55 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.5 OctNovember: 4.00 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.0 NovDecember: 2.96 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 3.0❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Iuka 12 Sw, IL (9 mi away); precipitation: Centralia, IL (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

628486b
Irvington, IL · 6 mi
628936b
Walnut Hill, IL · 7 mi
622506b
Hoffman, IL · 7 mi
628826b
Sandoval, IL · 9 mi
628776b
Richview, IL · 9 mi
628036b
Hoyleton, IL · 9 mi
628706b
Odin, IL · 10 mi
622526b
Huey, IL · 10 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62801

What planting zone is ZIP code 62801?

ZIP code 62801 (Centralia, 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 Centralia, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62801 is April 9; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Iuka 12 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Centralia, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62801 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62801?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62801 get?

About 45.3 inches of precipitation a year and 7 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Centralia station).

How hot do summers get in Centralia, IL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62801 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cisne at the center of ZIP 62801: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Centralia, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62801 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Centralia, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62801 is 14 h 51 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62801 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62801 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.