Frost dates for 61754Mc Lean, IL
The average last spring frost in Mc Lean is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (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 16 · Apr 29 · May 15 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 18 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 20 · May 4 | Oct 3 · Oct 16 · Oct 29 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 24 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mc Lean
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61754 is matched to the NOAA station Lincoln, IL, 24.5 km away, at 583 ft elevation (113 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, IL (used) | 583 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 16 |
| Bloomington 5W, IL | 852 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 20 |
| Normal 4Ne, IL | 790 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 16 |
| Congerville 2Nw, IL | 640 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Mc Lean
- Atlanta, IL 61723 · last Apr 20, first Oct 16
- Waynesville, IL 61778 · last Apr 20, first Oct 16
- Shirley, IL 61772 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Stanford, IL 61774 · last Apr 21, first Oct 17
- Armington, IL 61721 · last Apr 20, first Oct 16
- Bloomington, IL 61705 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Heyworth, IL 61745 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Lawndale, IL 61751 · last Apr 20, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mc Lean, IL?
- For ZIP code 61754, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lincoln, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Mc Lean, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61754?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.