Frost dates for 60135Genoa, IL
The average last spring frost in Genoa is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 166 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 166 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 26 · May 10 · May 26 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 28 · May 14 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 166 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 4 | Oct 7 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Genoa
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60135 is matched to the NOAA station Marengo, IL, 19.6 km away, at 815 ft elevation (18 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marengo, IL (used) | 815 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 12 |
| De Kalb, IL | 873 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Crystal Lake 4Nw, IL | 940 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 22 |
| Shabbona 5 Nne, IL | 861 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Genoa
- Kingston, IL 60145 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Sycamore, IL 60178 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Burlington, IL 60109 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Hampshire, IL 60140 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Kirkland, IL 60146 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Clare, IL 60111 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Garden Prairie, IL 61038 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
- Marengo, IL 60152 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Genoa, IL?
- For ZIP code 60135, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marengo, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Genoa, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 60135?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 166 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.