Frost dates for 61250Erie, IL
The average last spring frost in Erie is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 167 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 23 · May 6 · May 22 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 26 · May 11 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Erie
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 61250 is matched to the NOAA station Morrison, IL, 18.2 km away, at 632 ft elevation (45 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrison, IL (used) | 632 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 13 |
| Clinton #1, IA | 585 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 16 |
| Geneseo, IL | 639 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
| Fulton L&D #13, IL | 592 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Erie
- Fenton, IL 61251 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Prophetstown, IL 61277 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Hillsdale, IL 61257 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
- Lyndon, IL 61261 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Albany, IL 61230 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Cordova, IL 61242 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Morrison, IL 61270 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Hooppole, IL 61258 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Erie, IL?
- For ZIP code 61250, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Morrison, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Erie, 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 61250?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.