Madison, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season217 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Madison compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madison falls between March 14 and April 18, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 24 and November 21.
- The median last frost is 16 days earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 217-day growing season is among the longest of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 15 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 79 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Florissant, MO, 18 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 24 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 21 |
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 Madison, IL
Madison, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 4, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madison, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Basil | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 St Louis Sci Ctr, MO weather station, 11 km away (elevation 515 ft (157 m)).
Frost dates near Madison
- Venice Apr 1 · Nov 4
- National Stock Yards Apr 8 · Oct 26
- Granite City Apr 4 · Nov 5
- East Saint Louis Apr 8 · Oct 26
- Caseyville Apr 8 · Oct 26
- Collinsville Apr 8 · Oct 26
- Fairview Heights Apr 8 · Oct 26
- Maryville Apr 8 · Oct 26
- East Carondelet Apr 6 · Oct 27
- Hartford Apr 4 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madison, IL?
The median last spring frost in Madison, IL is April 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Madison, IL?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 24.
How long is the growing season in Madison, IL?
About 217 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madison, IL?
Madison, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.