Frost dates for 61753Lexington, IL
The average last spring frost in Lexington is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 3 · May 18 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Sep 29 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lexington
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61753 is matched to the NOAA station Chenoa, IL, 13.8 km away, at 719 ft elevation (24 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chenoa, IL (used) | 719 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Normal 4Ne, IL | 790 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 16 |
| Bloomington 5W, IL | 852 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 20 |
| Pontiac, IL | 650 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Lexington
- Towanda, IL 61776 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Cooksville, IL 61730 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Merna, IL 61758 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Gridley, IL 61744 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Bloomington, IL 61702 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Chenoa, IL 61726 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Hudson, IL 61748 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Colfax, IL 61728 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lexington, IL?
- For ZIP code 61753, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chenoa, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Lexington, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. 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 61753?
- 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.