Sparta 1 W, IL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Sparta 1 W garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 12
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 22
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
193 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 29 Apr 12 Apr 29
First fall frost Nov 2 Oct 22 Oct 7
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 1 · first Nov 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SPARTA 1 W 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 Sparta 1 W

Computed from Sparta 1 W'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 15 – Mar 1 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🫑 Peppers Feb 1 – Feb 15 Apr 26 – May 3
🥬 Lettuce Mar 1 – Mar 15 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Mar 15 – Apr 12
🫛 Peas Mar 1 – Mar 15
🥕 Carrots Mar 22 – Apr 12
🥦 Broccoli Feb 22 – Mar 8 Mar 22 – Apr 5
🥬 Kale Mar 1 – Mar 15 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Mar 15 – Mar 29
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 15 – Mar 22 Apr 19 – Apr 26 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🥒 Zucchini Mar 15 – Mar 22 Apr 19 – Apr 26 Apr 19 – Apr 26
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 19 – Apr 26
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 19 – Apr 26
🌿 Basil Mar 1 – Mar 15 Apr 19 – Apr 26 Apr 26 – May 3
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 10 – Oct 8

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 Sparta 1 W's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Sparta 1 W

Roughly 193 frost-free days gives Sparta 1 W gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 12; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 22 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Sparta 1 W, IL?

The average last spring frost in Sparta 1 W is around Apr 12, 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 Sparta 1 W, IL?

The average first fall frost in Sparta 1 W arrives around Oct 22. 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 Sparta 1 W?

About 193 frost-free days on average, from Apr 12 to Oct 22. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Sparta 1 W 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.