Columbia, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 6median date
First fall frostOct 27median date
Growing season204 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Columbia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbia falls between March 22 and April 20, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 204-day growing season is longer than 89% 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 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 97 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Florissant, MO, 39 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 12 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 22 |
| 50% (median) | April 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 27 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Columbia, IL
Columbia, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 6, first frost Oct 27, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 11
Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbia, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 9 – Apr 13 | Sep 1 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Okra | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 2 – Apr 13 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 |
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 Cahokia, IL weather station, 15 km away (elevation 400 ft (122 m)).
Frost dates near Columbia
- Dupo Apr 6 · Oct 27
- Millstadt Apr 8 · Oct 26
- East Carondelet Apr 6 · Oct 27
- Waterloo Apr 9 · Oct 26
- Maeystown Apr 9 · Oct 26
- Smithton Apr 12 · Oct 20
- Lovejoy Apr 12 · Oct 20
- Valmeyer Apr 9 · Oct 26
- Belleville Apr 12 · Oct 20
- East Saint Louis Apr 8 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbia, IL?
The median last spring frost in Columbia, IL is April 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbia, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Columbia, IL?
About 204 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbia, IL?
Columbia, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.