Frost dates for 61826 — Champaign, IL
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season173 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Champaign compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Champaign falls between April 9 and May 9, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 173-day growing season is longer than 12% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 6 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 128 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Springfield, IL, 114 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 17 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 61826 — Champaign, IL — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 13, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
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 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| 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 Champaign 9 Sw, IL weather station, 7 km away (elevation 699 ft (213 m)).
ZIP codes in Champaign: 61820 61821 61822 61824 61825 61826
Frost dates near Champaign
- Bondville Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Seymour Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Mahomet Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Savoy Apr 15 · Oct 24
- White Heath Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Urbana Apr 15 · Oct 24
- Tolono Apr 19 · Oct 17
- Sadorus Apr 19 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Champaign, IL?
The median last spring frost in Champaign, IL is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, 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 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Champaign, IL?
About 173 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.