When is the last frost in Springfield, IL?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Springfield is April 14, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until April 29.

When is the first frost in Springfield?

The average first fall frost in Springfield is October 20, with a growing season of about 187 days.

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Springfield, Illinois frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 14. Average first fall frost: October 20. That gives a growing season of about 187 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is April 29, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 14

1-in-10 risk after Apr 29

First frost (50%)

Oct 20

1-in-10 risk before Oct 5

Growing season

187 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Apr 3

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	April 1	November 1
70%	April 8	October 25
50%	April 14	October 20
30%	April 20	October 15
10%	April 29	October 5

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after April 29. These are NOAA probabilities for the Springfield Capital Airport weather station (USW00093822, elevation 181 m), 1991–2020.

Springfield vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 14). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Apr 29) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 24	Apr 21 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 3	Mar 17
Brussels sprouts	Feb 3	Mar 17
Cabbage	Jan 27	Mar 10
Cauliflower	Feb 17	Mar 31
Sweet corn	Mar 17	Apr 14 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Mar 31	Apr 21
Kale	Jan 27	Mar 10
Leeks	Dec 30	Mar 10
Lettuce	Feb 24	Mar 31
Melons	Apr 7	Apr 28
Onions	Dec 23	Mar 3 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 17	Mar 17 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 3	Apr 28
Squash	Apr 7	Apr 28
Tomatoes	Feb 17	Apr 14

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 20. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 5. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around October 30.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Peoria, IL	Apr 16	Oct 23	~91 km
St. Louis, MO	Apr 2	Nov 4	~135 km
Evansville, IN	Apr 4	Oct 29	~272 km
Chicago, IL	Apr 16	Oct 28	~281 km
Cedar Rapids, IA	Apr 27	Oct 11	~285 km
Indianapolis, IN	Apr 15	Oct 26	~290 km

More: all Illinois frost dates