Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Rockford, Illinois

Typical last spring frost April 24 (1 spring in 10 later than May 8). Typical first fall frost October 17 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 2). Growing season about 174 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 10 and fades out by May 8. It is unlikely from then until October 2, and likely again after October 30. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 24 and October 17.

January

Nothing to start this month.

February

  • February 6 to March 6: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • February 20 to March 20: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 6 to 27: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • March 13 to 27: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 20 to April 3: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 27 to April 10: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 27 to April 10: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

April

  • April 10 to 24: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 10 to 24: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 24: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 8: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • May 8: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)
  • May 22 to June 5: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

June

  • June 11 to 25: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 21: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 25: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 26: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 30: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 31: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)

August

  • August 4: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 14: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 24: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 3: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 2: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 4 to 11: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Rockford GTR Rockford Airport (station USW00094822), 5 miles from the center of Rockford. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/illinois/rockford/

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