Frost dates for 60918Buckley, IL
The average last spring frost in Buckley is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 20 · May 3 · May 19 | Sep 19 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Sep 26 · Oct 12 · Oct 26 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 7 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Buckley
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60918 is matched to the NOAA station Paxton 2 Wsw, IL, 18.6 km away, at 758 ft elevation (66 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paxton 2 Wsw, IL (used) | 758 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 12 |
| Piper City, IL | 670 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 20 |
| Gibson City, IL | 750 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
| Watseka 2 Nw, IL | 620 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Buckley
- Loda, IL 60948 · last Apr 23, first Oct 12
- Thawville, IL 60968 · last Apr 25, first Oct 20
- Roberts, IL 60962 · last Apr 23, first Oct 12
- Onarga, IL 60955 · last Apr 25, first Oct 20
- Cissna Park, IL 60924 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Paxton, IL 60957 · last Apr 23, first Oct 12
- Melvin, IL 60952 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Gilman, IL 60938 · last Apr 25, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Buckley, IL?
- For ZIP code 60918, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Paxton 2 Wsw, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Buckley, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 60918?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.