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

Planting zone for 62829 — Dale, IL

ZIP code 62829 (Dale, Hamilton County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 21.

Where ZIP 62829 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 11
First frostOct 21
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 Dale, 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 Dale, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 21median — 10% chance by Oct 6
Growing season190 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 1 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Mcleansboro, IL — 6 miles away, elevation 446 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 62829

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 26 – Sep 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 7 – Nov 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 11) and first fall frost (Oct 21) 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 62829 came on Mar 2 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13).

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 Dale, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62829 is Ava — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ava 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 62829; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dale, IL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights110nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,039base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 48 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 31 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation47.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall13 inper year; 14 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 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 44 °F 68°44° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 63 °F 88°63° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 55 °F 82°55° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.55 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 3.5❄4 JanFebruary: 2.90 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 2.9❄3 FebMarch: 4.53 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 4.5❄2 MarApril: 5.29 in precipitation 5.3 AprMay: 4.94 in precipitation 4.9 MayJune: 5.05 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.38 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 3.4❄1 OctNovember: 4.41 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.4 NovDecember: 3.50 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 3.5❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mcleansboro, IL (6 mi away); precipitation: Mcleansboro, IL (6 mi away). 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.

628177a
Broughton, IL · 3 mi
628596b
Mc Leansboro, IL · 5 mi
629777a
Raleigh, IL · 11 mi
629307a
Eldorado, IL · 11 mi
628356b
Enfield, IL · 12 mi
628697a
Norris City, IL · 12 mi
628606b
Macedonia, IL · 13 mi
629357a
Galatia, IL · 14 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62829

What planting zone is ZIP code 62829?

ZIP code 62829 (Dale, 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 Dale, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62829 is April 11; after April 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mcleansboro station.

When is the first frost in Dale, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62829 is October 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 190 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62829?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62829 get?

About 47.1 inches of precipitation a year and 13 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mcleansboro station).

How hot do summers get in Dale, IL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62829 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ava at the center of ZIP 62829: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Dale, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62829 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dale, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62829 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.