When to plant in Lincoln, IL
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Lincoln, Illinois — all computed from Lincoln's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6a means Lincoln sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
LINCOLN · 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 Lincoln’s own odds, recorded at LINCOLN.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 15 | Apr 29 | Apr 16 | Sep 22 | Oct 6 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 4 | Apr 20 | Apr 5 | Oct 3 | Oct 16 | Oct 29 |
| 28°F | Apr 24 | Apr 7 | Mar 23 | Oct 12 | Oct 26 | Nov 9 |
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 Lincoln, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 42 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.
Lincoln planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lincoln, IL?
Lincoln's average last spring frost falls near April 20 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Lincoln, IL?
Expect Lincoln's first fall frost near October 16 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Lincoln in?
Lincoln 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 Lincoln?
There are roughly 179 frost-free days in Lincoln (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 20 to the first fall frost near October 16.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lincoln?
In Lincoln, start tomato seeds indoors around February 23–March 9, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 27 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lincoln
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lincoln’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Springfield · 46 km
- Decatur · 50 km
- Bloomington · 50 km
- Pekin · 51 km
- Normal · 52 km
- Morton · 52 km
- Chatham · 60 km
- East Peoria · 60 km
Frost dates recorded at LINCOLN, 3 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 Lincoln, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00115079. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/lincoln.