Frost dates for 61460Media, IL
The average last spring frost in Media is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 185 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 185 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 14 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 26 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 185 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Media
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61460 is matched to the NOAA station Burlington 2S, IA, 21.9 km away, at 690 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington 2S, IA (used) | 690 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| Gladstone Dam 18, IL | 538 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
| La Harpe, IL | 690 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
| Monmouth 4Nw, IL | 724 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Media
- Stronghurst, IL 61480 · last Apr 18, first Oct 20
- Raritan, IL 61471 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Smithshire, IL 61478 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Biggsville, IL 61418 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Gladstone, IL 61437 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Kirkwood, IL 61447 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Carman, IL 61425 · last Apr 18, first Oct 20
- Roseville, IL 61473 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Media, IL?
- For ZIP code 61460, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Burlington 2S, IA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Media, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61460?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 185 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.