Vandalia, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 10median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season197 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Vandalia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Vandalia falls between March 28 and April 24, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 197-day growing season is longer than 80% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 12 days earlier than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 108 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Decatur, IL, 101 km away, the last frost here is 4 days earlier than there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 28 |
| 50% (median) | April 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
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 Vandalia, IL
Vandalia, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 10, first frost Oct 24, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 15
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Vandalia, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 13 – Apr 17 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Basil | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 17 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
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 Vandalia, IL weather station, 2 km away (elevation 489 ft (149 m)).
Frost dates near Vandalia
- Hagarstown Apr 10 · Oct 24
- Shobonier Apr 10 · Oct 24
- Mulberry Grove Apr 10 · Oct 24
- Brownstown Apr 3 · Oct 24
- Vernon Apr 10 · Oct 24
- Smithboro Apr 10 · Oct 24
- Bingham Apr 15 · Oct 19
- Patoka Apr 9 · Oct 26
- Ramsey Apr 15 · Oct 19
- Saint Peter Apr 3 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Vandalia, IL?
The median last spring frost in Vandalia, IL is April 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Vandalia, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Vandalia, IL?
About 197 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Vandalia, IL?
Vandalia, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.