Frost dates for 61358Rutland, IL
The average last spring frost in Rutland is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (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 21 · May 5 · May 20 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rutland
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 27 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| 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 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61358 is matched to the NOAA station Minonk, IL, 8 km away, at 750 ft elevation (54 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minonk, IL (used) | 750 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 17 |
| Streator 3 Se, IL | 610 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 28 |
| Lacon, IL | 458 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 17 |
| Pontiac, IL | 650 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Rutland
- Dana, IL 61321 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Wenona, IL 61377 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Toluca, IL 61369 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Minonk, IL 61760 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Long Point, IL 61333 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Ancona, IL 61311 · last Apr 12, first Oct 28
- La Rose, IL 61541 · last Apr 26, first Oct 17
- Lostant, IL 61334 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rutland, IL?
- For ZIP code 61358, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Minonk, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Rutland, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61358?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.