Last frost date in Springfield, IL
The average last frost in Springfield is April 15. By April 30 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 22, which leaves 188 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 9 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 30
- Average first frost
- Oct 22
- Frost-free season
- 188 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 5
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2248°
- FriOct 2346°
- SatOct 2448°
- SunOct 2552°
- MonOct 2650°
- TueOct 2747°
- WedOct 2848°
Planting calendar for Springfield
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Illinois.
TomatoesApr 22–May 6
PumpkinsApr 29–May 13
SunflowersApr 15–May 6
CucumbersApr 29–May 6
CornApr 22–May 6
Sweet potatoesMay 6–May 20
WatermelonApr 29–May 13
Green beansApr 22–May 13
ZucchiniApr 22–May 6
OkraMay 6–May 20
PeppersApr 29–May 13
BasilApr 22–May 6
Butternut squashApr 22–May 6
CantaloupeApr 29–May 13
EggplantApr 29–May 13
PotatoesMar 18–Apr 1
OnionsMar 4–Mar 25
CarrotsMar 25–Apr 29
LettuceApr 1–Apr 22
BroccoliMar 18–Apr 1
BeetsMar 18–Apr 29
PeasMar 4–Mar 18
CabbageMar 18–Apr 1
RadishesMar 11–Apr 22
Brussels sproutsApr 1–Apr 15
SpinachMar 4–Mar 25
CilantroApr 1–Apr 22
KaleMar 18–Apr 1
Collard greensMar 18–Apr 1
TurnipsMar 18–Apr 1
DillApr 15–Apr 29
CeleryApr 22–Apr 29
CauliflowerApr 1–Apr 15
LeeksApr 1–Apr 15
Swiss chardApr 1–Apr 29
ParsleyApr 1–Apr 22
Tulip bulbsOct 8–Nov 12
GarlicOct 1–Nov 5
Daffodil bulbsSep 24–Nov 5
StrawberriesMar 18–Apr 1
AsparagusMar 18–Apr 1Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 3 | Apr 15 | Apr 30 | Oct 9 | Oct 22 | Nov 2 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 21 | Apr 5 | Apr 19 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 | Nov 15 |
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 Springfield #2 (USC00118186) sits 1.8 miles from the center of Springfield at 599 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 Springfield, IL?
The average last frost date in Springfield is April 15, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 30.
When is the first frost in Springfield?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 22. One year in ten it arrives before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Springfield?
About 188 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Springfield?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 22 to May 6. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Illinois
- DecaturApr 14
- PekinApr 16
- BloomingtonApr 25
- NormalApr 25
- East PeoriaApr 16
- PeoriaApr 16
- AltonApr 4
- EdwardsvilleApr 4
- ChampaignApr 15
- Granite CityApr 4
- CollinsvilleApr 8
- UrbanaApr 15