Frost Dates for Salem, IL 62881
Last spring frost April 14 · First fall frost October 14 · 183 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 62881 has about 11,100 people.
Long season: 183 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 31–April 29 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–October 27 (26 days).
Frost probability for 62881
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 29 | April 14 | March 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 14 | October 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MT VERNON 3 NE (31.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 183-day season in Salem
In Salem (183 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 | 141 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 28. | Jun 14 |
| Pepper | Mar 3 | Apr 28–May 5 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 28. | Jun 19 |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 23 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 225 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 24. | Aug 12 |
| Cucumber | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Peas | — | Feb 17–Apr 28 | 246 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 246 available after Feb 17. | Aug 3 |
| Zucchini | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Onion | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 218 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 17–Apr 7 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 11 |
| Kale | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 17. | Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 17. | Aug 12 |
| Radish | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Oct 21. | Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 14 | 288 | overwinter: Plant Oct 14 to Nov 4; harvest the following summer. | Nov 4 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 10–May 5 | 239 | 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 | 155 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 21. | Jun 26 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 31 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 148 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 28. | Jun 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 197 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 7. | Jul 24 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Mar 31 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 11 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 232 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 17. | Jul 13 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 148 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 28. | Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 141 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 28. | Jun 24 |
| Okra | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Basil | Mar 10 | May 5–May 5 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 17–Apr 7 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Parsley | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 183 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 21. | Jul 29 |
| Celery | Feb 3 | Apr 21–May 5 | 183 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 21. | Jun 9 |
| Scallions | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 23 |
| Collards | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 141 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 28. | Jun 9 |
| Chives | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Oregano | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 197 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Sage | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 197 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Cosmos | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Lavender | Jan 20 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Melons | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 141 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 28. | Jun 9 |
| Mint | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 204 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 162 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 21. | Jul 13 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 148 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 28. | Jun 11 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 14. | Jul 8 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 148 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 21. | Jun 19 |
| Watermelon | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 148 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 21. | Jun 14 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Zinnias | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
Month by month in Salem
| 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 1), Pumpkin (Jun 1), Cantaloupe (Jun 9), Celery (Jun 9), Melons (Jun 9), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 11), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 8), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 13), Pole Beans (Jul 13), Basil (Jul 18), Cosmos (Jul 18), Cucumber (Jul 18), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 3), Cabbage (Aug 12), Carrots (Aug 12), Beets (Aug 13), Dill (Aug 13), Swiss Chard (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 1), Arugula (Sep 11), Spinach (Sep 11), Radish (Sep 12). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 14). First frost around October 14. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 4). |
| 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 Salem, IL (ZIP 62881)?
The median last spring frost date for Salem, IL (ZIP code 62881) 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 March 31; one in ten it runs past April 29.
What is the first fall frost date in Salem, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Salem, IL is around October 14. 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 October 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Salem, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Salem is about 183 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 Salem (183 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 Salem, IL?
Salem, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Salem, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 10 and plant out Apr 28 in Salem. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Salem?
Two: plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21.
When do I plant garlic in Salem?
Oct 14 to Nov 4; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Salem?
Yes: plant out Apr 28 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 14 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Centralia (ZIP 62801) has 193 frost-free days, 10 more than Salem (ZIP 62881). See Centralia ZIP 62801 frost dates
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