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

Planting zone for 62834 — Emma, IL

ZIP code 62834 (Emma, White County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 62834 is

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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 15
First frostOct 19
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Emma, 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 Emma, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Carmi 3, IL — 7 miles away, elevation 335 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 62834

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 15) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 62834 came on Mar 5 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11).

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 7a in Illinois

633 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Illinois, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 81

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 110

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 226

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 186

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °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 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium 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 Emma, IL.

Soil in Emma, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62834 is Bloomfield — fine sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Bloomfield fine sand, 1 to 5 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 62834; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Emma, IL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low21 °Faverage low, January
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights103nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,921base 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
Precipitation48.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall12 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 21 °F 41°21° JanFebruary: average high 46 °F, low 23 °F 46°23° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 54 °F 77°54° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 43 °F 70°43° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 32 °F 56°32° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 25 °F 45°25° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.50 in precipitation, 2.5 in snowfall 3.5❄3 JanFebruary: 3.11 in precipitation, 4.9 in snowfall 3.1❄5 FebMarch: 4.37 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 4.4❄2 MarApril: 5.17 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 5.16 in precipitation 5.2 MayJune: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.22 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 3.43 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.4 OctNovember: 4.22 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.2 NovDecember: 3.90 in precipitation, 2.1 in snowfall 3.9❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carmi 3, IL (7 mi away); precipitation: Carmi 3, IL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

628677a
New Haven, IL · 5 mi
628617a
Maunie, IL · 6 mi
628217a
Carmi, IL · 7 mi
628697a
Norris City, IL · 9 mi
628717a
Omaha, IL · 10 mi
476207a
Mount Vernon, IN · 12 mi
629797a
Ridgway, IL · 13 mi
628277a
Crossville, IL · 14 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62834

What planting zone is ZIP code 62834?

ZIP code 62834 (Emma, IL) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Emma, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62834 is April 15; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carmi 3 station.

When is the first frost in Emma, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62834 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62834?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 18 – Mar 4 and set transplants outside around Apr 22 – May 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62834 get?

About 48.3 inches of precipitation a year and 12 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carmi 3 station).

How hot do summers get in Emma, IL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62834 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bloomfield at the center of ZIP 62834: fine sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Emma, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62834 came on Mar 5 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Emma, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62834 is 14 h 48 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62834 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62834 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.