Frost dates for 61821 — Champaign, IL
Last spring frostApr 15median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season192 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Champaign compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Champaign falls between April 1 and April 29, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 2 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 14 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 120 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| 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 Champaign, IL
Frost dates for 61821 — Champaign, IL — last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 24, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 20
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Champaign, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 18 – Apr 22 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Basil | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — | — |
| 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 Champaign 3s, IL weather station, 4 km away (elevation 722 ft (220 m)).
ZIP codes in Champaign: 61820 61821 61822 61824 61825 61826
Frost dates near Champaign
- Savoy Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Urbana Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Bondville Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Seymour Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Tolono Apr 19 · Oct 17
- Mahomet Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Philo Apr 19 · Oct 17
- Thomasboro Apr 21 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Champaign, IL?
The median last spring frost in Champaign, IL is April 15. 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 Champaign, 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 Champaign, IL?
About 192 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Champaign, IL?
Champaign, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.