When to plant in Effingham, IL
USDA Zone 6bEffingham, Illinois frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 6b, Effingham gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
EFFINGHAM 3SW · 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 Effingham’s own odds, recorded at EFFINGHAM 3SW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 11 | Apr 24 | Apr 10 | Sep 29 | Oct 13 | Oct 25 |
| 32°F | Apr 29 | Apr 13 | Apr 1 | Oct 9 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | Apr 17 | Apr 2 | Mar 17 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 | Nov 19 |
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 Effingham, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 35 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.
Effingham planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Effingham, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Effingham around April 13 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Effingham, IL?
Expect Effingham's first fall frost near October 24 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Effingham in?
Effingham is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. In zone 6b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Effingham?
Effingham has about 194 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 13) and first fall frost (October 24).
When should I plant tomatoes in Effingham?
For Effingham, sow tomatoes indoors about February 16–March 2 and move the seedlings out around April 20, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Effingham
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Effingham’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Mattoon · 43 km
- Charleston · 52 km
- Taylorville · 82 km
- Centralia · 83 km
- Decatur · 88 km
- Mount Vernon · 95 km
- Vincennes · 103 km
- Highland · 106 km
Frost dates recorded at EFFINGHAM 3SW, 6 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 Effingham, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00112687. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/effingham.