Lexington, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season175 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Lexington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lexington falls between April 9 and May 7, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 175-day growing season is longer than 16% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 127 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bloomington, IL, 21 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Lexington, IL
Lexington, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 15, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lexington, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Chenoa, IL weather station, 14 km away (elevation 719 ft (219 m)).
Frost dates near Lexington
- Towanda Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Cooksville Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Merna Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Gridley Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Chenoa Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Hudson Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Colfax Apr 23 · Oct 15
- El Paso Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Bloomington Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Normal Apr 25 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lexington, IL?
The median last spring frost in Lexington, IL is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lexington, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Lexington, IL?
About 175 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lexington, IL?
Lexington, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.