Fall in zone 7aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 62988 (Tamms, IL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Grand Chain Dam 53, IL (14 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)216 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7a0 to 5°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 62988 (Tamms)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 62988, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.
This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
64°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 59°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Dexter (47 mi).
4-inch depth
66°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 62°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Dexter (47 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 62988 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 66°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 19 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 5: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 17 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 3 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 21 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 23 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 5 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 22 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 22 | Nov 17 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 62988
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Nov 5). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 6–20 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) | Jul 9–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Feb 6–20 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 6–20 | Mar 13–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 6–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 20–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 6–20 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) Jul 30–Aug 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 6–20 | Mar 6–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) Jul 30–Aug 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 9–23 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 6–20 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 13–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 9–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 9–23 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 16–30 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 24–May 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 6–13 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 6–13 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Mar 6–13 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 6–13 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 6–13 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 9–23 | Apr 10–17 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Grand Chain Dam 53, IL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00113580), elevation 385 ft, 14.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo 3N, IL | 14 mi | Apr 2 | Oct 31 |
| Cape Girardeau Muni AP, MO | 15 mi | Apr 5 | Oct 25 |
| Anna 2 NNE, IL | 18 mi | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 62988
When is the last frost in 62988?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 62988 is April 3. For a more cautious planting date, use April 21, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 62988?
The average first fall freeze is November 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 23.
What hardiness zone is 62988?
ZIP 62988 is in USDA zone 7a (0 to 5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 62988 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
62976 Pulaski 62990 Olive Branch 62969 Olive Branch 62964 Mounds 62961 Mill Creek 62996 62992 Ullin 62957 East Cape Girardeau
Other ZIP codes in Alexander County
62914 62957 62962 62969 62990 All Alexander County frost dates · Illinois frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- Weekly yard to-dos
Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.