Frost dates for 61063Pecatonica, IL
The average last spring frost in Pecatonica is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 6 · May 21 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 26 · May 11 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pecatonica
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61063 is matched to the NOAA station Freeport Waste Wtp, IL, 21.1 km away, at 750 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freeport Waste Wtp, IL (used) | 750 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 13 |
| Rockford Gtr Rockford Ap, IL | 730 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 17 |
| Beloit, WI | 788 ft | May 1 | Oct 12 |
| Brodhead Wwtp, WI | 780 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Pecatonica
- Seward, IL 61077 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Ridott, IL 61067 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Winnebago, IL 61088 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- German Valley, IL 61039 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Durand, IL 61024 · last Apr 29, first Oct 12
- Rockford, IL 61106 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Loves Park, IL 61130 · last Apr 24, first Oct 17
- Rock City, IL 61070 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pecatonica, IL?
- For ZIP code 61063, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Freeport Waste Wtp, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Pecatonica, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61063?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.