Last frost date in Carbondale, IL

Average last frost
April 9

Expect the last frost in Carbondale around April 9. Frost after April 25 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 22, which leaves 195 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 10 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 25
Average first frost
Oct 22
Frost-free season
195 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 29
Next 7 nights in Carbondale

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2246°
  2. FriOct 2345°
  3. SatOct 2447°
  4. SunOct 2548°
  5. MonOct 2648°
  6. TueOct 2747°
  7. WedOct 2847°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 9First frost Oct 22195 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND195 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Carbondale Sewage Plt, 3.2 miles from Carbondale.

Planting calendar for Carbondale

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Illinois.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 16–Apr 30
PumpkinsApr 23–May 7
SunflowersApr 9–Apr 30
CucumbersApr 23–Apr 30
CornApr 16–Apr 30
Sweet potatoesApr 30–May 14
WatermelonApr 23–May 7
Green beansApr 16–May 7
ZucchiniApr 16–Apr 30
OkraApr 30–May 14
PeppersApr 23–May 7
BasilApr 16–Apr 30
Butternut squashApr 16–Apr 30
CantaloupeApr 23–May 7
EggplantApr 23–May 7
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 12–Mar 26
OnionsFeb 26–Mar 19
CarrotsMar 19–Apr 23
LettuceMar 26–Apr 16
BroccoliMar 12–Mar 26
BeetsMar 12–Apr 23
PeasFeb 26–Mar 12
CabbageMar 12–Mar 26
RadishesMar 5–Apr 16
Brussels sproutsMar 26–Apr 9
SpinachFeb 26–Mar 19
CilantroMar 26–Apr 16
KaleMar 12–Mar 26
Collard greensMar 12–Mar 26
TurnipsMar 12–Mar 26
DillApr 9–Apr 23
CeleryApr 16–Apr 23
CauliflowerMar 26–Apr 9
LeeksMar 26–Apr 9
Swiss chardMar 26–Apr 23
ParsleyMar 26–Apr 16
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 8–Nov 12
GarlicOct 1–Nov 5
Daffodil bulbsSep 24–Nov 5
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 12–Mar 26
AsparagusMar 12–Mar 26

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 25Apr 9Apr 25Oct 10Oct 22Nov 2
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 11Mar 29Apr 14Oct 19Nov 1Nov 18

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Carbondale Sewage Plt (USC00111265) sits 3.2 miles from the center of Carbondale at 390 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Carbondale, IL?

The average last frost date in Carbondale is April 9, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 25.

When is the first frost in Carbondale?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 22. One year in ten it arrives before October 10.

How long is the growing season in Carbondale?

About 195 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Carbondale?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 16 to April 30. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Illinois

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