Frost dates for 61913Atwood, IL
The average last spring frost in Atwood is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 27 · May 13 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 22 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Atwood
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61913 is matched to the NOAA station Tuscola, IL, 13.6 km away, at 651 ft elevation (18 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscola, IL (used) | 651 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 20 |
| Champaign 9 Sw, IL | 700 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 13 |
| Champaign Willard Ap, IL | 754 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 17 |
| Sullivan 3S, IL | 640 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Atwood
- Arthur, IL 61911 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Hammond, IL 61929 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Tuscola, IL 61953 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Ivesdale, IL 61851 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Bement, IL 61813 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Arcola, IL 61910 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Lovington, IL 61937 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Pesotum, IL 61863 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Atwood, IL?
- For ZIP code 61913, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tuscola, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Atwood, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. 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 61913?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.