Frost dates for 62704Springfield, IL
The average last spring frost in Springfield is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 11 · Apr 25 · May 10 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 3 · Apr 18 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Springfield
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62704 is matched to the NOAA station Springfield Capital Ap, IL, 8 km away, at 594 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Capital Ap, IL (used) | 594 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 20 |
| Springfield #2, IL | 599 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Athens 4Sw, IL | 594 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
| Petersburg 1E, IL | 600 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Springfield
- Springfield, IL 62711 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Chatham, IL 62629 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Rochester, IL 62563 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- New Berlin, IL 62670 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Glenarm, IL 62536 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Cantrall, IL 62625 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Pleasant Plains, IL 62677 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Sherman, IL 62684 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Springfield, IL?
- For ZIP code 62704, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Springfield Capital Ap, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Springfield, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62704?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.