Frost dates for 61730Cooksville, IL
The average last spring frost in Cooksville is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (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 4 · May 22 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Oct 2 · Oct 16 · Oct 29 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 12 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cooksville
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 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61730 is matched to the NOAA station Normal 4Ne, IL, 18.2 km away, at 790 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal 4Ne, IL (used) | 790 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 16 |
| Chenoa, IL | 719 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Bloomington 5W, IL | 852 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 20 |
| Gibson City, IL | 750 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Cooksville
- Merna, IL 61758 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Ellsworth, IL 61737 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Colfax, IL 61728 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Bloomington, IL 61702 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Lexington, IL 61753 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Towanda, IL 61776 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Arrowsmith, IL 61722 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Anchor, IL 61720 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cooksville, IL?
- For ZIP code 61730, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Normal 4Ne, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Cooksville, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61730?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.