Jacksonville 2, IL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Jacksonville 2 garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 17
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 21
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
187 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 3 Apr 17 May 1
First fall frost Nov 1 Oct 21 Oct 9
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 6 · first Oct 31

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the JACKSONVILLE 2 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 Jacksonville 2

Computed from Jacksonville 2's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 20 – Mar 6 Apr 24 – May 1
🫑 Peppers Feb 6 – Feb 20 May 1 – May 8
🥬 Lettuce Mar 6 – Mar 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3 Mar 20 – Apr 17
🫛 Peas Mar 6 – Mar 20
🥕 Carrots Mar 27 – Apr 17
🥦 Broccoli Feb 27 – Mar 13 Mar 27 – Apr 10
🥬 Kale Mar 6 – Mar 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3 Mar 20 – Apr 3
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 20 – Mar 27 Apr 24 – May 1 Apr 24 – May 1
🥒 Zucchini Mar 20 – Mar 27 Apr 24 – May 1 Apr 24 – May 1
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 24 – May 1
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 24 – May 1
🌿 Basil Mar 6 – Mar 20 Apr 24 – May 1 May 1 – May 8
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 9 – Oct 7

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 Jacksonville 2's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Jacksonville 2

Roughly 187 frost-free days gives Jacksonville 2 gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 17; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 21 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Jacksonville 2, IL?

The average last spring frost in Jacksonville 2 is around Apr 17, 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 Jacksonville 2, IL?

The average first fall frost in Jacksonville 2 arrives around Oct 21. 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 Jacksonville 2?

About 187 frost-free days on average, from Apr 17 to Oct 21. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Jacksonville 2 in?

USDA zone 6a 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.