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

Planting zone for 62808 — Ashley, IL

ZIP code 62808 (Ashley, 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 62808 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 Ashley, 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 Ashley, 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 — 9 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 62808

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 62808 came on Mar 5 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16).

average
Mar 162026
Mar 5

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.

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 Ashley, IL.

Soil in Ashley, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62808 is Bluford — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Bluford 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 62808; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ashley, 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

Precipitation45.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall8 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Nashville 1 E, IL (9 mi away); precipitation: Waltonville, IL (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Waltonville, IL · 10 mi

628836b

Scheller, IL · 11 mi

622636b

Nashville, IL · 12 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62808

What planting zone is ZIP code 62808?

ZIP code 62808 (Ashley, 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 Ashley, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62808 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 Ashley, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62808 is October 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 201 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62808?

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 62808 get?

About 45.6 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waltonville station).

How hot do summers get in Ashley, 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 62808 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bluford at the center of ZIP 62808: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ashley, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62808 came on Mar 5 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ashley, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62808 is 14 h 50 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.