Richmond, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season166 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Richmond compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Richmond falls between April 16 and May 16, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 13 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 166-day growing season is longer than 3% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 149 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Waukegan, IL, 37 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Richmond, IL
Richmond, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 13, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Richmond, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Pell Lake, WI weather station, 8 km away (elevation 840 ft (256 m)).
Frost dates near Richmond
- Spring Grove Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Ringwood May 1 · Oct 11
- Wonder Lake May 1 · Oct 11
- Hebron Apr 30 · Oct 13
- Fox Lake Apr 24 · Oct 23
- Mchenry May 1 · Oct 11
- Antioch Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Ingleside May 1 · Oct 11
- Round Lake Apr 24 · Oct 23
- Alden Apr 25 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Richmond, IL?
The median last spring frost in Richmond, IL is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Richmond, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Richmond, IL?
About 166 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Richmond, IL?
Richmond, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.