Frost dates for 61451Laura, IL
The average last spring frost in Laura is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 17 · May 2 · May 16 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 6 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 10 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Laura
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 24 |
| 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 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 24 |
| 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 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61451 is matched to the NOAA station Princeville, IL, 15 km away, at 750 ft elevation (48 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princeville, IL (used) | 750 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 14 |
| Galva, IL | 810 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Altona, IL | 765 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 12 |
| Knoxville, IL | 728 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Laura
- Williamsfield, IL 61489 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- Brimfield, IL 61517 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Princeville, IL 61559 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Victoria, IL 61485 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Dahinda, IL 61428 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- Elmwood, IL 61529 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
- Yates City, IL 61572 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- Wyoming, IL 61491 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Laura, IL?
- For ZIP code 61451, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Princeville, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Laura, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61451?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.