Frost Dates for Springfield, IL 62704
Last spring frost April 14 · First fall frost October 13 · 182 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 62704 has about 40,000 people, the largest of 8 ZIP codes in Springfield.
Long season: 182 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 1–April 27 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 28–October 25 (27 days).
Frost probability for 62704
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 27 | April 14 | April 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 28 | October 13 | October 25 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at VIRDEN (30.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Springfield, IL
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62704 | April 14 | October 13 | 6a |
| 62702 | April 14 | October 13 | 6a |
| 62703 | April 14 | October 13 | 6a |
| 62711 | April 14 | October 13 | 6a |
| 62712 | April 14 | October 13 | 6a |
| 62707 | April 14 | October 13 | 6a |
| 62701 | April 14 | October 13 | 6a |
| 62706 | April 14 | October 13 | 6a |
Which crops fit a 182-day season in Springfield
In Springfield (182 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 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 28. | Jun 13 |
| Pepper | Mar 3 | Apr 28–May 5 | 140 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 28. | Jun 18 |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 24. | Aug 11 |
| Cucumber | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Peas | — | Feb 17–Apr 28 | 245 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 245 available after Feb 17. | Aug 2 |
| Zucchini | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Onion | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 217 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 17–Apr 7 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Kale | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 217 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 17. | Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 231 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 17. | Aug 11 |
| Radish | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Oct 20. | Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 13 | 287 | overwinter: Plant Oct 13 to Nov 3; harvest the following summer. | Nov 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 10–May 5 | 238 | 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 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 21. | Jun 25 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 31 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 147 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 28. | May 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 7. | Jul 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Mar 31 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 231 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 17. | Jul 12 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 147 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 28. | May 31 |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 140 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 28. | Jun 23 |
| Okra | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Basil | Mar 10 | May 5–May 5 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 17–Apr 7 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Parsley | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 21. | Jul 28 |
| Celery | Feb 3 | Apr 21–May 5 | 182 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 21. | Jun 8 |
| Scallions | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Collards | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 140 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 28. | Jun 8 |
| Chives | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Oregano | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Sage | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Cosmos | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Lavender | Jan 20 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Melons | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 140 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 140 available after Apr 28. | Jun 8 |
| Mint | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 203 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 161 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 21. | Jul 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 147 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 28. | Jun 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 168 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 14. | Jul 7 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 21. | Jun 18 |
| Watermelon | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 147 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 21. | Jun 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Zinnias | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
Month by month in Springfield
| 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). Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 31), Pumpkin (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 8), Celery (Jun 8), Melons (Jun 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 10), Tomato (Jun 13), Watermelon (Jun 13), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 12), Pole Beans (Jul 12), Basil (Jul 17), Cosmos (Jul 17), Cucumber (Jul 17), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 2), Cabbage (Aug 11), Carrots (Aug 11), Beets (Aug 12), Dill (Aug 12), Swiss Chard (Aug 12), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 10), Spinach (Sep 10), Radish (Sep 11). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 13). First frost around October 13. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 3). |
| 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 Springfield, IL (ZIP 62704)?
The median last spring frost date for Springfield, IL (ZIP code 62704) 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 Springfield, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Springfield, IL is around October 13. 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 Springfield, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Springfield is about 182 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 Springfield (182 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 Springfield, IL?
Springfield, 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 Springfield, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 10 and plant out Apr 28 in Springfield. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Springfield?
Two: plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20.
When do I plant garlic in Springfield?
Oct 13 to Nov 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Springfield?
Yes: plant out Apr 28 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 13 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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