Sparta, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 12median date
First fall frostOct 22median date
Growing season193 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Sparta compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Sparta falls between March 29 and April 29, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 7 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 193-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 109 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Florissant, MO, 90 km away, the last frost here is 10 days later than there and the growing season is 23 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 29 |
| 50% (median) | April 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 7 |
| 50% (median) | October 22 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
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 Sparta, IL
Sparta, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 12, first frost Oct 22, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 17
Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Sparta, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 | Aug 27 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Basil | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 19 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 8 – Nov 12 |
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 Sparta 1 W, IL weather station, 2 km away (elevation 535 ft (163 m)).
Frost dates near Sparta
- Coulterville Apr 12 · Oct 22
- Tilden Apr 12 · Oct 22
- Baldwin Apr 12 · Oct 22
- Marissa Apr 12 · Oct 22
- Steeleville Apr 12 · Oct 22
- Percy Apr 12 · Oct 22
- Cutler Apr 12 · Oct 22
- Walsh Apr 8 · Oct 30
- Oakdale Apr 12 · Oct 22
- Evansville Apr 8 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Sparta, IL?
The median last spring frost in Sparta, IL is April 12. 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 Sparta, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 7.
How long is the growing season in Sparta, IL?
About 193 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Sparta, IL?
Sparta, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.