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

Planting zone for 62836 — Ewing, IL

ZIP code 62836 (Ewing, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 62836 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 4

First frostOct 28

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 Ewing, 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 Ewing, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 15

Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Benton 2 N, IL — 7 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 62836

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 62836 came on Mar 2 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 13).

average
Mar 132026
Mar 2

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 Ewing, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62836 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 farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bluford silt loam, 2 to 5 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 62836; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ewing, IL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low25 °Faverage low, January

Hot days43days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights93nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,190base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 49 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

Precipitation46 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Benton 2 N, IL (7 mi away); precipitation: Rend Lake Dam, IL (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Whittington, IL · 6 mi

628106b

Belle Rive, IL · 8 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62836

What planting zone is ZIP code 62836?

ZIP code 62836 (Ewing, 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 Ewing, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62836 is April 4; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Benton 2 N station.

When is the first frost in Ewing, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62836 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62836?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 7 – Feb 21 and set transplants outside around Apr 11 – Apr 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62836 get?

About 46 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rend Lake Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Ewing, IL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 43 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62836 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bluford at the center of ZIP 62836: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Ewing, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62836 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 Ewing, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62836 is 14 h 49 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.