Frost dates for 60071Richmond, IL
The average last spring frost in Richmond is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 180 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 180 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 22 · May 5 · May 21 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 157 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 24 · May 9 | Oct 8 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 180 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 16 | 202 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richmond
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60071 is matched to the NOAA station Lake Villa 2Ne, IL, 19.3 km away, at 840 ft elevation (26 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Villa 2Ne, IL (used) | 840 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 23 |
| Pell Lake, WI | 840 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 13 |
| Antioch, IL | 750 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Mc Henry -Wg Stratton L&D, IL | 736 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Richmond
- Spring Grove, IL 60081 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Twin Lakes, WI 53181 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Ringwood, IL 60072 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Genoa City, WI 53128 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
- Bassett, WI 53101 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Pell Lake, WI 53157 · last Apr 30, first Oct 13
- Powers Lake, WI 53159 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Wilmot, WI 53192 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richmond, IL?
- For ZIP code 60071, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lake Villa 2Ne, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Richmond, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 60071?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 180 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.