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When to plant Figs in Roxana, IL

In Roxana, Figs is a single-season spring crop — there's no second fall window. Plant May 2–May 16 for an 730–1825-day harvest, finishing well before the October 22 first frost.

When to Plant Figs in Roxana, IL

Madison County, Illinois Zone 7a June

Your June gardening checklist

Your garden in Madison County, Illinois is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 75°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs

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Figs are ancient fruiting trees or shrubs producing uniquely sweet fruits with soft flesh. They are surprisingly cold-hardy for a Mediterranean plant and thrive against warm walls.

Roxana, Illinois is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 963 feet, Madison County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Figs during the growing season.

Roxana, IL (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Roxana Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Figs Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 11

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Roxana

How your county's soil matches Figs's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.9) overlaps with Figs's range (6.0–6.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Madison County is excellent for Figs — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Figs will thrive.

How to Plant Figs

120"
Between Plants
144"
Between Rows

Figs Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 421 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Figs

Figs needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Figs Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Madison County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Figs Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Figs needs ~21,398 GDD — county provides 3,249 GDD May not mature

Figs Planting Timeline — Roxana, IL

Figs Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 2 May 2 – May 16

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–6.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

194 days in Madison County

Growing Tips for Figs in Roxana

Direct sow Figs outdoors after April 11 in Madison County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 194.0-day growing season in Madison County is tight for Figs (730.0-1825.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant against a south-facing wall for maximum heat. Restrict root growth with barriers to encourage fruiting over vegetative growth. Protect in winter with wrapping in cold zones.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Figs in Roxana, IL?

In Roxana, IL, plant Figs after the last frost (around April 11) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Roxana, IL for Figs?

Roxana sits in USDA Zone 7a. Figs grows reliably in zones 7a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Figs grow in Roxana's climate?

Yes — Figs grows well in Roxana's temperate climate. Roxana averages a 194-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 11 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Madison County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Madison County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Madison County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.