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

Planting zone for 62841 — Freeman Spur, IL

ZIP code 62841 (Freeman Spur, Williamson County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost October 27.

Where ZIP 62841 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 4
First frostOct 27
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 Freeman Spur, 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 Freeman Spur, 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 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 26 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Rend Lake Dam, IL — 12 miles away, elevation 456 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 62841

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 1 – Sep 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 4) and first fall frost (Oct 27) 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 62841 came on Mar 1 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12).

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 Freeman Spur, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62841 is Hurst — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hurst 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 62841; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Freeman Spur, IL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low22 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights100nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,193base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 32 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation45.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall10 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 40 °F, low 22 °F 40°22° JanFebruary: average high 44 °F, low 25 °F 44°25° FebMarch: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° AprMay: average high 76 °F, low 56 °F 76°56° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° OctNovember: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° NovDecember: average high 44 °F, low 27 °F 44°27° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.33 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 3.3❄2 JanFebruary: 2.93 in precipitation, 2.9 in snowfall 2.9❄3 FebMarch: 4.11 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 4.1❄1 MarApril: 5.34 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.3 AprMay: 5.02 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.47 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 2.55 in precipitation 2.5 AugSeptember: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 3.30 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 3.3 OctNovember: 4.02 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.0 NovDecember: 3.58 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 3.6❄3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rend Lake Dam, IL (12 mi away); precipitation: Plumfield, IL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

629487a
Herrin, IL · 3 mi
629997a
Zeigler, IL · 3 mi
628747a
Orient, IL · 4 mi
629517a
Johnston City, IL · 4 mi
628967a
West Frankfort, IL · 5 mi
629337a
Energy, IL · 6 mi
629217a
Colp, IL · 6 mi
629837a
Royalton, IL · 7 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62841

What planting zone is ZIP code 62841?

ZIP code 62841 (Freeman Spur, 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 Freeman Spur, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62841 is April 4; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rend Lake Dam station.

When is the first frost in Freeman Spur, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62841 is October 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62841?

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 62841 get?

About 45.5 inches of precipitation a year and 10 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Plumfield station).

How hot do summers get in Freeman Spur, IL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62841 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hurst at the center of ZIP 62841: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Freeman Spur, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62841 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Freeman Spur, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62841 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62841 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62841 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.