Springfield, IL planting zone & frost dates
Springfield is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 15 and the first fall frost around October 22, for a growing season of about 188 days.
Planting calendar for Springfield
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 15) 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 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 27 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 22).
Useful for zone 6a 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
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 3 | Apr 15 | Apr 30 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 2 | Oct 22 | Oct 9 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 30, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 9. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 5.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Springfield
- 62701 zone 6a
- 62702 zone 6a
- 62703 zone 6a
- 62704 zone 6a
- 62705 zone 6a
- 62706 zone 6a
- 62707 zone 6a
- 62708 zone 6a
- 62711 zone 6a
- 62712 zone 6a
- 62715 zone 6a
- 62716 zone 6a
- 62719 zone 6a
- 62722 zone 6a
- 62723 zone 6a
- 62726 zone 6a
- 62736 zone 6a
- 62739 zone 6a
- 62756 zone 6a
- 62757 zone 6a
- 62761 zone 6a
- 62762 zone 6a
- 62763 zone 6a
- 62764 zone 6a
- 62765 zone 6a
- 62766 zone 6a
- 62767 zone 6a
- 62769 zone 6a
- 62776 zone 6a
- 62777 zone 6a
- 62781 zone 6a
- 62786 zone 6a
- 62791 zone 6a
- 62794 zone 6a
- 62796 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- Chatham zone 6a, last frost Apr 15
- Taylorville zone 6a, last frost Apr 12
- Lincoln zone 6a, last frost Apr 20
- Jacksonville zone 6a, last frost Apr 17
- Decatur zone 6a, last frost Apr 14
- Pekin zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
- Morton zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Canton zone 6a, last frost Apr 17
Questions
What growing zone is Springfield, IL?
Springfield is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Springfield?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Springfield is April 15. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 30.
When can I plant tomatoes in Springfield?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 22 – Apr 29. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Springfield #2, IL (USC00118186), 2.9 km (1.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 183 m, based on 12 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.