Frost dates for 61818Cerro Gordo, IL
The average last spring frost in Cerro Gordo is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 13 · Apr 26 · May 12 | Sep 26 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cerro Gordo
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61818 is matched to the NOAA station Decatur Ap, IL, 12.5 km away, at 675 ft elevation (44 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur Ap, IL (used) | 675 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Decatur Wtp, IL | 639 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 24 |
| Sullivan 3S, IL | 640 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Champaign 9 Sw, IL | 700 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Cerro Gordo
- La Place, IL 61936 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Milmine, IL 61855 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Argenta, IL 62501 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Oreana, IL 62554 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Cisco, IL 61830 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Bement, IL 61813 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Hammond, IL 61929 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Mt Zion, IL 62549 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cerro Gordo, IL?
- For ZIP code 61818, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Decatur Ap, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Cerro Gordo, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61818?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.