When to plant in Springfield, IL
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Springfield, Illinois — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6a means Springfield sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
SPRINGFIELD #2 · 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 Springfield’s own odds, recorded at SPRINGFIELD #2.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 13 | Apr 27 | Apr 13 | Sep 29 | Oct 13 | Oct 23 |
| 32°F | Apr 30 | Apr 15 | Apr 3 | Oct 9 | Oct 22 | Nov 2 |
| 28°F | Apr 19 | Apr 5 | Mar 21 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 | Nov 15 |
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 Springfield, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 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.
Springfield planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Springfield, IL?
Springfield's average last spring frost falls near April 15 — 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 Springfield, IL?
The first fall frost in Springfield typically arrives around October 22 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Springfield in?
Springfield 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 Springfield?
There are roughly 190 frost-free days in Springfield (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 15 to the first fall frost near October 22.
When should I plant tomatoes in Springfield?
In Springfield, 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 Springfield
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Springfield’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Chatham · 14 km
- Taylorville · 38 km
- Lincoln · 46 km
- Jacksonville · 51 km
- Decatur · 61 km
- Pekin · 86 km
- Canton · 92 km
- Morton · 93 km
Frost dates recorded at SPRINGFIELD #2, 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 Springfield, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00118186. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/springfield.