Albion, IL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Albion garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 4
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
207 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 20 Apr 4 Apr 20
First fall frost Nov 9 Oct 28 Oct 15
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 25 · first Nov 6

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ALBION station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Albion

Computed from Albion's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 7 – Feb 21 Apr 11 – Apr 18
🫑 Peppers Jan 24 – Feb 7 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🥬 Lettuce Feb 21 – Mar 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21 Mar 7 – Apr 4
🫛 Peas Feb 21 – Mar 7
🥕 Carrots Mar 14 – Apr 4
🥦 Broccoli Feb 14 – Feb 28 Mar 14 – Mar 28
🥬 Kale Feb 21 – Mar 7 Mar 7 – Mar 21 Mar 7 – Mar 21
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 7 – Mar 14 Apr 11 – Apr 18 Apr 11 – Apr 18
🥒 Zucchini Mar 7 – Mar 14 Apr 11 – Apr 18 Apr 11 – Apr 18
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 11 – Apr 18
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 11 – Apr 18
🌿 Basil Feb 21 – Mar 7 Apr 11 – Apr 18 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 16 – Oct 14

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Albion's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Albion

With roughly 207 frost-free days, Albion gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Oct 28 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Albion, IL?

The average last spring frost in Albion is around Apr 4, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Albion, IL?

The average first fall frost in Albion arrives around Oct 28. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Albion?

About 207 frost-free days on average, from Apr 4 to Oct 28. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Albion in?

USDA zone 7a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.