Wheeler, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 13median date
First fall frostOct 22median date
Growing season192 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Wheeler compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wheeler falls between April 1 and April 29, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 192-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 106 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Terre Haute, IN, 94 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 5 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 22 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 Wheeler, IL
Wheeler, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 13, first frost Oct 22, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 18
Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Nov 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wheeler, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 16 – Apr 20 | Aug 27 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Okra | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Basil | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 20 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | — | — |
| 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 Newton, IL weather station, 12 km away (elevation 531 ft (162 m)).
Frost dates near Wheeler
- Dieterich Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Newton Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Montrose Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Teutopolis Apr 13 · Oct 24
- Hidalgo Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Watson Apr 13 · Oct 24
- Ingraham Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Jewett Apr 13 · Oct 22
- West Liberty Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Effingham Apr 13 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wheeler, IL?
The median last spring frost in Wheeler, IL is April 13. 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 Wheeler, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 22, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Wheeler, IL?
About 192 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wheeler, IL?
Wheeler, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.