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

Planting zone for 62892 — Vernon, IL

ZIP code 62892 (Vernon, Marion County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 62892 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 10

First frostOct 24

2012 zone6a

Was 6a 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 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Vernon, 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 Vernon, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season196 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 31 and returns around November 3.

From the NOAA station Vandalia, IL — 11 miles away, elevation 489 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 62892

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 62892 came on Mar 6 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18).

average
Mar 182026
Mar 6

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 Vernon, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62892 is Cisne — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Cisne-Huey silt loams, 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 62892; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Vernon, IL

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights108nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,847base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 53 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 27 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation44.1 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: Vandalia, IL (11 mi away); precipitation: Patoka, IL (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6b.

Saint Peter, IL · 11 mi

Keyesport, IL · 12 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62892

What planting zone is ZIP code 62892?

ZIP code 62892 (Vernon, 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 Vernon, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62892 is April 10; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vandalia station.

When is the first frost in Vernon, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62892 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 196 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62892?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62892 get?

About 44.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Patoka station).

How hot do summers get in Vernon, 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 62892 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cisne at the center of ZIP 62892: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Vernon, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62892 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Vernon, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62892 is 14 h 53 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62892 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62892 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.