Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 62526 (Decatur, IL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Decatur WTP, IL (5 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)192 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
56°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Champaign 9 SW (34 mi).
4-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 57°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Champaign 9 SW (34 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 62526 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 58°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 24: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 14 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 1 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 11 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 24 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 5 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 26 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 14 | Oct 24 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 3 | Nov 3 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 62526
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 24). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 24–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 17–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 19 (transplant) Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 19 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–29 (transplant) Jul 18–Aug 15 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–29 (transplant) Jul 18–Aug 15 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 3–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 3–17 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 4–25 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 17–Mar 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 17–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 21 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 17–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 10–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 17–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 12–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Jul 4–18 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 17–24 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 17–24 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 17–24 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 17–24 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 17–24 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 3–17 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Apr 21–28 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 3–17 | Apr 21–May 5 (transplant) Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 17–31 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Decatur WTP, IL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00112193), elevation 639 ft, 5.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur AP, IL | 8 mi | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Lincoln, IL | 25 mi | Apr 20 | Oct 16 |
| Sullivan 3S, IL | 31 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 62526
When is the last frost in 62526?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 62526 is April 14. For a more cautious planting date, use May 1, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 62526?
The average first fall freeze is October 24. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 11.
What hardiness zone is 62526?
ZIP 62526 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 62526 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
62535 Forsyth 62523 Decatur 62573 Warrensburg 62522 Decatur 62554 Oreana 62537 Harristown 62521 Decatur 62532 Elwin
Other ZIP codes in Macon County
61756 61925 62501 62514 62521 62522 62523 62532 62535 62537 62544 62549 62551 62554 62573 All Macon County frost dates · Illinois frost dates
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