When is the last frost in Champaign, IL?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Champaign is around April 15, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Champaign 3s, IL station (2 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Champaign?

The average first fall frost in Champaign, IL is around October 24, giving roughly a 190-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Champaign, IL?

Champaign is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -10 to -5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Champaign?

In Champaign, IL the warmest month is July (avg high 85.2°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 17.9°F). It averages about 40.9″ of precipitation a year and 20.8″ of snow.

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Champaign, IL Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 61820 · elevation 220′ · NOAA & USDA data

Champaign is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 190 days between the average last spring frost (April 15) and first fall frost (October 24). The warmest month is July (avg high 85.2°F); the coldest is January (avg low 17.9°F). It averages 40.9″ of precipitation a year and 20.8″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -10 to -5°F

Last spring frost

April 15

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 24

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

190 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 85.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Champaign

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Champaign 3s, IL (2 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	33.5	17.9	25.7	2.3	6.5
February	38.4	21.2	29.8	2.2	5.8
March	50.4	31.2	40.8	2.8	2.5
April	63.1	41.6	52.4	3.9	0.3
May	73.8	52.7	63.2	4.8	0
June	82.7	62.1	72.4	4.6	0
July	85.2	65.2	75.2	4.5	0
August	84	63.6	73.8	3.5	0
September	78.8	55.6	67.2	3.4	0
October	65.8	43.9	54.8	3.4	0
November	50.7	32.2	41.4	3.2	0.9
December	38.5	23.6	31.1	2.4	4.8

What to plant when in Champaign

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 4 · Transplant out: April 22
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 18 · Transplant out: April 29
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 22
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 22
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 22
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 22
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 22
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 11 · Sow (fall): August 29
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): August 29
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): August 29
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): August 15
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 1
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): August 15
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 18
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 1
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): September 12

Dates are computed from Champaign's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Illinois

Urbana, IL Decatur, IL Bloomington, IL Normal, IL Springfield, IL Peoria, IL Joliet, IL Plainfield, IL

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Champaign 3s, IL, 2 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Champaign 3s, IL, 2 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.