When to plant in Champaign, IL
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Champaign, Illinois — all computed from Champaign's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6a means Champaign sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Champaign is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
CHAMPAIGN 3S · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Champaign’s own odds, recorded at CHAMPAIGN 3S.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 10 | Apr 26 | Apr 12 | Oct 1 | Oct 15 | Oct 26 |
| 32°F | Apr 29 | Apr 15 | Apr 1 | Oct 11 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | Apr 19 | Apr 4 | Mar 20 | Oct 22 | Nov 2 | Nov 16 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Champaign, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 11 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Champaign planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Champaign, IL?
On average, the last spring frost in Champaign is around April 15 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Champaign, IL?
In Champaign, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 24 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Champaign in?
Champaign is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Champaign?
There are roughly 192 frost-free days in Champaign (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 15 to the first fall frost near October 24.
When should I plant tomatoes in Champaign?
In Champaign, start tomato seeds indoors around February 18–March 4, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 22 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Champaign
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Champaign’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Urbana · 7 km
- Mahomet · 13 km
- Rantoul · 23 km
- Danville · 57 km
- Decatur · 63 km
- Charleston · 70 km
- Mattoon · 71 km
- Bloomington · 71 km
Frost dates recorded at CHAMPAIGN 3S, 4 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Champaign, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00118740. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/champaign.