Frost dates for 62471Vandalia, IL
The average last spring frost in Vandalia is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 25 | 173 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 10 · Apr 24 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 20 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vandalia
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62471 is matched to the NOAA station Vandalia, IL, 1.7 km away, at 490 ft elevation (107 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vandalia, IL (used) | 490 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 24 |
| Brownstown 4 Sw, IL | 530 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 24 |
| Ramsey, IL | 600 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 19 |
| Salem, IL | 550 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Vandalia
- Hagarstown, IL 62247 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Shobonier, IL 62885 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Mulberry Grove, IL 62262 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Brownstown, IL 62418 · last Apr 3, first Oct 24
- Vernon, IL 62892 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Smithboro, IL 62284 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Bingham, IL 62011 · last Apr 15, first Oct 19
- Patoka, IL 62875 · last Apr 9, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vandalia, IL?
- For ZIP code 62471, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Vandalia, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Vandalia, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62471?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.