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

Planting zone for 62962 — Miller City, IL

ZIP code 62962 (Miller City, 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 62962 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 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 Miller City, 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 Miller City, 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 — 9 miles away, 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 62962

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 62962 came on Mar 1 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5).

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.

Trees 81

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 110

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 226

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 186

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Miller City, IL.

Soil in Miller City, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 62962 is Dupo — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.7%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dupo silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, long duration.

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 62962; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Miller City, 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 43 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

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 30 °F 48°30° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 48 °F 70°48° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 58 °F 78°58° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 66 °F 86°66° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° SepOctober: average high 71 °F, low 48 °F 71°48° OctNovember: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 30 °F 47°30° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 FebMarch: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 MarApril: 5.38 in precipitation 5.4 AprMay: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 4.37 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 OctNovember: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cairo 3n, IL (9 mi away); precipitation: Cairo 3n, IL (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

629697a
Olive Branch, IL · 4 mi
629937a
Unity, IL · 5 mi
629647a
Mounds, IL · 7 mi
629147a
Cairo, IL · 8 mi
637427a
Commerce, MO · 8 mi
629637a
Mound City, IL · 9 mi
637367a
Benton, MO · 10 mi
629887a
Tamms, IL · 11 mi

Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 62962

What planting zone is ZIP code 62962?

ZIP code 62962 (Miller City, 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 Miller City, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 62962 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 Miller City, IL?

The median first fall frost near 62962 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 211 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 62962?

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 62962 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Miller City, 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 62962 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dupo at the center of ZIP 62962: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Miller City, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 62962 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Miller City, IL?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 62962 is 14 h 43 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 62962 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 62962 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.