Frost Dates for Decatur, IL 62523
Decatur has 4 ZIP codes. The Decatur, IL frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 18 · First fall frost October 12 · 177 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 62523 has about 707 people, one of 4 ZIP codes in Decatur.
Moderate season: 177 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 4–May 1 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans September 28–October 27 (29 days).
Frost probability for 62523
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 1 | April 18 | April 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 28 | October 12 | October 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LINCOLN (47.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 177-day season in Decatur
In Decatur (177 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 14 | May 2–May 9 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 2. | Jun 12 |
| Pepper | Mar 7 | May 2–May 9 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 2. | Jun 17 |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 28. | Aug 10 |
| Cucumber | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Peas | — | Feb 21–May 2 | 240 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 240 available after Feb 21. | Aug 1 |
| Zucchini | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Onion | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 21–Apr 11 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Kale | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 212 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 21. | Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 21. | Aug 10 |
| Radish | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Oct 19. | Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 12 | 282 | overwinter: Plant Oct 12 to Nov 2; harvest the following summer. | Nov 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 14–May 9 | 233 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 25. | Jun 24 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 4 | May 2–May 2 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 2. | May 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 11. | Jul 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 4 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 21. | Jul 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 2. | May 30 |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 2. | Jun 22 |
| Okra | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Basil | Mar 14 | May 9–May 9 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 21–Apr 11 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Parsley | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 25. | Jul 27 |
| Celery | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 9 | 177 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 25. | Jun 7 |
| Scallions | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Collards | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 2. | Jun 7 |
| Chives | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Oregano | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Sage | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Cosmos | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Lavender | Jan 24 | Apr 18–May 2 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Melons | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 2. | Jun 7 |
| Mint | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 156 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 25. | Jul 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 2. | Jun 9 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 18. | Jul 6 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 25. | Jun 17 |
| Watermelon | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 25. | Jun 12 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Zinnias | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
Month by month in Decatur
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 24), Lavender (Jan 24), Onion (Jan 24), Rosemary (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 7), Collards (Feb 7), Kale (Feb 7), Oregano (Feb 7), Parsley (Feb 7), Scallions (Feb 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 21), Beets (Feb 21), Dill (Feb 21), Peas (Feb 21), Radish (Feb 21), Spinach (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 7), Cauliflower (Mar 7), Marigolds (Mar 7), Pepper (Mar 7), Basil (Mar 14), Tomato (Mar 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 7), Cilantro (Mar 21), Turnip (Mar 21), Carrots (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 21), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 21), Cabbage (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), Kale (Mar 21), Lettuce (Mar 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 14). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 4), Cantaloupe (Apr 4), Melons (Apr 4), Pumpkin (Apr 4), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 4), Watermelon (Apr 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 4), Sunflowers (Apr 18), Beans (Apr 25), Pole Beans (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Cauliflower (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 18), Lavender (Apr 18), +15 more. Last frost around April 18. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 2), Cantaloupe (May 2), Cucumber (May 2), Eggplant (May 2), Melons (May 2), Pepper (May 2), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 30), Pumpkin (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 7), Celery (Jun 7), Melons (Jun 7), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 9), Tomato (Jun 12), Watermelon (Jun 12), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 11), Pole Beans (Jul 11), Basil (Jul 16), Cosmos (Jul 16), Cucumber (Jul 16), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 1), Cabbage (Aug 10), Carrots (Aug 10), Beets (Aug 11), Dill (Aug 11), Swiss Chard (Aug 11), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 9), Spinach (Sep 9), Radish (Sep 10). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 12). First frost around October 12. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 2). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Decatur, IL (ZIP 62523)?
The median last spring frost date for Decatur, IL (ZIP code 62523) is around April 18. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 4; one in ten it runs past May 1.
What is the first fall frost date in Decatur, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Decatur, IL is around October 12. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 28 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Decatur, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Decatur is about 177 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Decatur (177 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Decatur, IL?
Decatur, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Decatur, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 14 and plant out May 2 in Decatur. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Decatur?
Two: plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19.
When do I plant garlic in Decatur?
Oct 12 to Nov 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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