Frost dates for 61264Milan, IL
The average last spring frost in Milan is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 4 · May 19 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 9 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Oct 28 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 15 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milan
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61264 is matched to the NOAA station Moline Quad City Intl Ap, IL, 6.1 km away, at 592 ft elevation (71 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moline Quad City Intl Ap, IL (used) | 592 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Rock Island L&D 15, IL | 568 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
| Davenport, IA | 754 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Davenport Wfo, IA | 750 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Milan
- Rock Island, IL 61201 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Coal Valley, IL 61240 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Moline, IL 61265 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Davenport, IA 52801 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Andalusia, IL 61232 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Reynolds, IL 61279 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Buffalo, IA 52728 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Preemption, IL 61276 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milan, IL?
- For ZIP code 61264, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Moline Quad City Intl Ap, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Milan, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61264?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 176 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.