East Saint Louis, IL planting zone & frost dates
East Saint Louis is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 8 and the first fall frost around October 26, for a growing season of about 200 days.
Planting calendar for East Saint Louis
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 8) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 25 – Mar 11 Transplant outdoors: Apr 15 – Apr 22 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 31 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 26).
Useful for zone 7a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 23 | Apr 8 | Apr 23 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 7 | Oct 26 | Oct 12 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 23, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 28.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in East Saint Louis
- 62201 zone 7a
- 62202 zone 7a
- 62203 zone 7a
- 62204 zone 7a
- 62205 zone 7a
- 62206 zone 7a
- 62207 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Cahokia zone 7a, last frost Apr 6
- Granite City zone 7a, last frost Apr 1
- Fairview Heights zone 7a, last frost Apr 8
- Collinsville zone 7a, last frost Apr 8
- Swansea zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Columbia zone 7a, last frost Apr 6
- Belleville zone 7a, last frost Apr 12
- Glen Carbon zone 7a, last frost Apr 4
Questions
What growing zone is East Saint Louis, IL?
East Saint Louis is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in East Saint Louis?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in East Saint Louis is April 8. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 23.
When can I plant tomatoes in East Saint Louis?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 15 – Apr 22. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Cahokia St Louis Ap, IL (USW00003960), 5.9 km (3.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 126 m, based on 20 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.