Frost dates for 61741Forrest, IL
The average last spring frost in Forrest is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (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 22 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 22 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 10 | Oct 2 · Oct 20 · Oct 31 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Forrest
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 30 |
| 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 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 30 |
| 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 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61741 is matched to the NOAA station Piper City, IL, 19.2 km away, at 670 ft elevation (16 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piper City, IL (used) | 670 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 20 |
| Pontiac, IL | 650 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 24 |
| Chenoa, IL | 719 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Gibson City, IL | 750 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Forrest
- Fairbury, IL 61739 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Chatsworth, IL 60921 · last Apr 25, first Oct 20
- Strawn, IL 61775 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Saunemin, IL 61769 · last Apr 16, first Oct 24
- Cropsey, IL 61731 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Cullom, IL 60929 · last Apr 25, first Oct 20
- Piper City, IL 60959 · last Apr 25, first Oct 20
- Sibley, IL 61773 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Forrest, IL?
- For ZIP code 61741, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Piper City, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Forrest, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. 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 61741?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.