Lima, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season195 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Lima compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lima falls between March 29 and April 29, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 195-day growing season is longer than 76% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 18 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 122 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 29 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 Lima, IL
Lima, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 11, first frost Oct 23, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lima, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 Canton L&D, MO weather station, 12 km away (elevation 489 ft (149 m)).
Frost dates near Lima
- Ursa Apr 11 · Oct 23
- Sutter Apr 10 · Oct 27
- Mendon Apr 14 · Oct 23
- Loraine Apr 18 · Oct 21
- West Point Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Warsaw Apr 10 · Oct 27
- Paloma Apr 14 · Oct 23
- Coatsburg Apr 14 · Oct 23
- Basco Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Fowler Apr 14 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lima, IL?
The median last spring frost in Lima, IL is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lima, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Lima, IL?
About 195 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lima, IL?
Lima, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.