Urbana, IL planting zone & frost dates
Urbana is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 15 and the first fall frost around October 24, for a growing season of about 190 days.
Planting calendar for Urbana
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 15) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 29 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4 – Feb 18 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 4 – Mar 18 Transplant outdoors: Apr 22 – Apr 29 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 29 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 24).
Useful for zone 6a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 1 | Apr 15 | Apr 29 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 5 | Oct 24 | Oct 11 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 29, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 11. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 4.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Urbana
- 61801 zone 6a
- 61802 zone 6a
- 61803 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- Champaign zone 6a, last frost Apr 15
- Rantoul zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Danville zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Charleston zone 6a, last frost Apr 15
- Mattoon zone 6a, last frost Apr 11
- Decatur zone 6a, last frost Apr 14
- Bloomington zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Pontiac zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
Questions
What growing zone is Urbana, IL?
Urbana is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Urbana?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Urbana is April 15. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 29.
When can I plant tomatoes in Urbana?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 22 – Apr 29. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Champaign 3S, IL (USC00118740), 4.1 km (2.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 220 m, based on 29 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.