Frost dates for 62707 — Springfield, IL
Last spring frostApr 14median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Springfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Springfield falls between April 1 and April 29, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 189-day growing season is longer than 54% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 15 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 111 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Peoria, IL, 97 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Springfield, IL
Frost dates for 62707 — Springfield, IL — last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 20, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 19
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Springfield, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 17 – Apr 21 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Basil | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 21 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Springfield Capital Ap, IL weather station, 3 km away (elevation 594 ft (181 m)).
ZIP codes in Springfield: 62701 62702 62703 62704 62705 62706 62707 62708 62711 62712 62715 62716 62719 62722 62723 62726 62736 62739 62756 62757 62761 62762 62763 62764 62765 62766 62767 62769 62776 62777 62781 62786 62791 62794 62796
Frost dates near Springfield
- Cantrall Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Sherman Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Riverton Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Williamsville Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Athens Apr 19 · Oct 19
- Dawson Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Rochester Apr 15 · Oct 22
- Pleasant Plains Apr 19 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Springfield, IL?
The median last spring frost in Springfield, IL is April 14. 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 Springfield, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in Springfield, IL?
About 189 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Springfield, IL?
Springfield, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.