When is the last frost in Springfield, IL?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Springfield is around April 15, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Springfield #2, IL station (1.5 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 Springfield?

The average first fall frost in Springfield, IL is around October 22, giving roughly a 188-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Springfield, IL?

Springfield 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 Springfield?

In Springfield, IL the warmest month is July (avg high 86.8°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 19.9°F). It averages about 38″ of precipitation a year and 21.8″ of snow.

Home › Illinois › Springfield

Springfield, IL Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 62701 · elevation 181′ · NOAA & USDA data

Springfield is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 188 days between the average last spring frost (April 15) and first fall frost (October 22). The warmest month is July (avg high 86.8°F); the coldest is January (avg low 19.9°F). It averages 38″ of precipitation a year and 21.8″ 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 22

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

188 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 86.8°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Springfield

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Springfield Capital Ap, IL (3.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	35.9	19.9	27.9	2	6.7
February	41.1	23.7	32.4	1.9	6.1
March	53.1	33.2	43.2	2.8	3.1
April	65.6	43.3	54.4	4	0.3
May	75.7	54.4	65.1	4.5	0
June	84	63.3	73.7	4.6	0
July	86.8	66.2	76.5	3.9	0
August	85.4	64.3	74.9	3.4	0
September	80.2	55.8	68	2.9	0
October	67.4	44.6	56	3.3	0.1
November	52.7	34.2	43.5	2.7	1.2
December	40.7	25.2	32.9	2.2	4.3

What to plant when in Springfield

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 27
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 4 · Sow (fall): August 27
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): August 27
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): August 13
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 1
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 25 · Sow (fall): August 13
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 18
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 1
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 18 · Sow (fall): September 10

Dates are computed from Springfield'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

Decatur, IL Bloomington, IL Peoria, IL Normal, IL Champaign, IL Urbana, IL Quincy, IL Belleville, 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 — Springfield #2, IL, 1.5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Springfield Capital Ap, IL, 3.6 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.