Frost dates for 61085Stockton, IL
The average last spring frost in Stockton is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (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 24 · May 6 · May 21 | Sep 16 · Sep 29 · Oct 12 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 12 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 23 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 185 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stockton
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61085 is matched to the NOAA station Stockton 3 Nne, IL, 6.1 km away, at 970 ft elevation (29 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton 3 Nne, IL (used) | 970 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 9 |
| Elizabeth, IL | 675 ft | May 1 | Oct 9 |
| Mt Carroll, IL | 640 ft | May 2 | Oct 7 |
| Galena, IL | 822 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Stockton
- Kent, IL 61044 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Nora, IL 61059 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Elizabeth, IL 61028 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Warren, IL 61087 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Apple River, IL 61001 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Lena, IL 61048 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Pearl City, IL 61062 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Eleroy, IL 61027 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stockton, IL?
- For ZIP code 61085, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stockton 3 Nne, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Stockton, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. 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 61085?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 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.