Frost dates for 61230Albany, IL
The average last spring frost in Albany is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (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 18 · May 2 · May 17 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 18 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 22 · May 8 | Oct 2 · Oct 16 · Oct 28 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 5 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Albany
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61230 is matched to the NOAA station Clinton #1, IA, 5.6 km away, at 585 ft elevation (35 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton #1, IA (used) | 585 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 16 |
| Fulton L&D #13, IL | 592 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
| Morrison, IL | 632 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 13 |
| Le Claire L&D 14, IA | 577 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Albany
- Camanche, IA 52730 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Clinton, IA 52734 · last Apr 13, first Oct 26
- Fulton, IL 61252 · last Apr 13, first Oct 26
- Cordova, IL 61242 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Low Moor, IA 52757 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Fenton, IL 61251 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Erie, IL 61250 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Princeton, IA 52768 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Albany, IL?
- For ZIP code 61230, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clinton #1, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Albany, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61230?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.