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

Planting zone for 62950 — Jacob, IL

ZIP code 62950 (Jacob, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 62950 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 9
First frostOct 22
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 Jacob, 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 Jacob, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season195 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Carbondale Southern Il Airport, IL — 17 miles away, elevation 407 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 62950

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 62950 came on Mar 2 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10).

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 Jacob, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62950 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 62950; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Jacob, IL

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights95nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,161base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 47 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 33 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation43.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall6 inper year

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° JanFebruary: average high 47 °F, low 28 °F 47°28° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° AprMay: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 64 °F 86°64° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 56 °F 81°56° SepOctober: average high 70 °F, low 45 °F 70°45° OctNovember: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° NovDecember: average high 46 °F, low 28 °F 46°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.79 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 2.8❄2 JanFebruary: 2.78 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 2.8❄2 FebMarch: 4.33 in precipitation, 1 in snowfall 4.3❄1 MarApril: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 AprMay: 4.62 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 2.95 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 3.22 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.2 OctNovember: 4.46 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.5 NovDecember: 3.08 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.1❄2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carbondale Southern Il Airport, IL (17 mi away); precipitation: Grand Twr 2 N, IL (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

629407a
Gorham, IL · 6 mi
637487a
Frohna, MO · 6 mi
637467a
Farrar, MO · 8 mi
622807a
Rockwood, IL · 8 mi
629077a
Ava, IL · 9 mi
629427a
Grand Tower, IL · 9 mi
637327a
Altenburg, MO · 11 mi
629667a
Murphysboro, IL · 11 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62950

What planting zone is ZIP code 62950?

ZIP code 62950 (Jacob, 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 Jacob, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62950 is April 9; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carbondale Southern Il Airport station.

When is the first frost in Jacob, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62950 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 195 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62950?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 62950 get?

About 43.7 inches of precipitation a year and 6 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grand Twr 2 N station).

How hot do summers get in Jacob, IL?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 62950 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cairo at the center of ZIP 62950: silty clay, poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Jacob, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62950 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Jacob, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62950 is 14 h 47 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62950 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62950 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.