Athens, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season183 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Athens compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Athens falls between April 6 and May 4, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 183-day growing season is longer than 40% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 10 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 121 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Springfield, IL, 24 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 7 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Athens, IL
Athens, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 19, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Athens, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Athens 4sw, IL weather station, 13 km away (elevation 594 ft (181 m)).
Frost dates near Athens
- Cantrall Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Williamsville Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Lincoln'S New Salem Apr 13 · Oct 21
- Sherman Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Middletown Apr 17 · Oct 18
- Greenview Apr 17 · Oct 18
- Petersburg Apr 13 · Oct 21
- Elkhart Apr 20 · Oct 16
- Riverton Apr 14 · Oct 20
- New Holland Apr 17 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Athens, IL?
The median last spring frost in Athens, IL is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Athens, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in Athens, IL?
About 183 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Athens, IL?
Athens, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.