Frost Dates for Jacksonville, IL 62650
Last spring frost April 14 · First fall frost October 15 · 184 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 62650 has about 24,800 people.
Long season: 184 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 1–April 27 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 28–October 28 (30 days).
Frost probability for 62650
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 27 | April 14 | April 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 28 | October 15 | October 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at VIRDEN (46.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 184-day season in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville (184 frost-free days, a long 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 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 28. | Jun 15 |
| Pepper | Mar 3 | Apr 28–May 5 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 28. | Jun 20 |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 24. | Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Peas | — | Feb 17–Apr 28 | 247 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 247 available after Feb 17. | Aug 4 |
| Zucchini | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Onion | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 17–Apr 7 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Kale | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 219 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 17. | Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 233 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 17. | Aug 13 |
| Radish | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Oct 22. | Sep 13 |
| Beets | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 15 | 289 | overwinter: Plant Oct 15 to Nov 5; harvest the following summer. | Nov 5 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 10–May 5 | 240 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 21. | Jun 27 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 31 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 28. | Jun 2 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 7. | Jul 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Mar 31 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 12 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 233 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 17. | Jul 14 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 149 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 28. | Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 142 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 28. | Jun 25 |
| Okra | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Basil | Mar 10 | May 5–May 5 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 17–Apr 7 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Parsley | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 21. | Jul 30 |
| Celery | Feb 3 | Apr 21–May 5 | 184 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 21. | Jun 10 |
| Scallions | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 5. | Sep 2 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 28 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 24 |
| Collards | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Nov 5. | Aug 23 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 142 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 28. | Jun 10 |
| Chives | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Oregano | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Sage | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Cosmos | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Lavender | Jan 20 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 29 |
| Melons | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 142 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 28. | Jun 10 |
| Mint | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 163 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 21. | Jul 14 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 28. | Jun 12 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 14. | Jul 9 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 21. | Jun 20 |
| Watermelon | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 149 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 21. | Jun 15 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 24 |
| Zinnias | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
Month by month in Jacksonville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 20), Lavender (Jan 20), Onion (Jan 20), Rosemary (Jan 20). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 3), Collards (Feb 3), Kale (Feb 3), Oregano (Feb 3), Parsley (Feb 3), Scallions (Feb 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 17), Beets (Feb 17), Dill (Feb 17), Peas (Feb 17), Radish (Feb 17), Spinach (Feb 17). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 3), Cauliflower (Mar 3), Marigolds (Mar 3), Pepper (Mar 3), Basil (Mar 10), Tomato (Mar 10), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 3), Cilantro (Mar 17), Turnip (Mar 17), Carrots (Mar 24), Potatoes (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 17), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 17), Cabbage (Mar 17), Collards (Mar 17), Kale (Mar 17), Lettuce (Mar 17), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 10). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 14), Beans (Apr 21), Pole Beans (Apr 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 7), Cauliflower (Apr 7), Cosmos (Apr 14), Lavender (Apr 14), Marigolds (Apr 14), Mint (Apr 14), +24 more. Last frost around April 14. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 5). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 2), Pumpkin (Jun 2), Cantaloupe (Jun 10), Celery (Jun 10), Melons (Jun 10), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 12), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 9), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 14), Pole Beans (Jul 14), Basil (Jul 19), Cosmos (Jul 19), Cucumber (Jul 19), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 4), Cabbage (Aug 13), Carrots (Aug 13), Beets (Aug 14), Dill (Aug 14), Swiss Chard (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 2), Arugula (Sep 12), Spinach (Sep 12), Radish (Sep 13). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 15). First frost around October 15. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 5). |
| 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 Jacksonville, IL (ZIP 62650)?
The median last spring frost date for Jacksonville, IL (ZIP code 62650) is around April 14. 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 1; one in ten it runs past April 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Jacksonville, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Jacksonville, IL is around October 15. 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 Jacksonville, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Jacksonville is about 184 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 Jacksonville (184 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Jacksonville, IL?
Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 10 and plant out Apr 28 in Jacksonville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Jacksonville?
Two: plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 22.
When do I plant garlic in Jacksonville?
Oct 15 to Nov 5; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Jacksonville?
Yes: plant out Apr 28 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 15 for a fall crop.
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