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

Planting zone for 62914 — Cairo, IL

ZIP code 62914 (Cairo, Alexander County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 62914 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 2

First frostOct 31

2012 zone7a

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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cairo, 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 Cairo, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season211 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 24 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Cairo 3n, IL — within 1 mile, elevation 312 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 62914

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 62914 came on Feb 26 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5).

average
Mar 52026
Feb 26

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.

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 Cairo, IL.

Soil in Cairo, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62914 is Cairo — silty clay, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Cairo silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 62914; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cairo, IL

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days42days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights81nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,539base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 42 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation51 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: Cairo 3n, IL (within 1 mile); precipitation: Cairo 3n, IL (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

629637a

Mound City, IL · 4 mi

629647a

Mounds, IL · 6 mi

629627a

Miller City, IL · 8 mi

Charleston, MO · 10 mi

629967a

Villa Ridge, IL · 10 mi

629697a

Olive Branch, IL · 10 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62914

What planting zone is ZIP code 62914?

ZIP code 62914 (Cairo, 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 Cairo, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62914 is April 2; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cairo 3n station.

When is the first frost in Cairo, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62914 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 211 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62914?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62914 get?

About 51 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cairo 3n station).

How hot do summers get in Cairo, IL?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 42 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62914 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cairo at the center of ZIP 62914: silty clay, poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Cairo, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62914 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cairo, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62914 is 14 h 42 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.