Frost dates for 61937Lovington, IL
The average last spring frost in Lovington is April 15 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 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 187 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 25 · May 13 | Sep 25 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · Apr 30 | Oct 6 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 4 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lovington
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 – Jul 2 |
| 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 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 2 |
| 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 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61937 is matched to the NOAA station Sullivan 3S, IL, 17.8 km away, at 640 ft elevation (32 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sullivan 3S, IL (used) | 640 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Decatur Ap, IL | 675 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Decatur Wtp, IL | 639 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 24 |
| Windsor, IL | 690 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Lovington
- Hammond, IL 61929 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- La Place, IL 61936 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Dalton City, IL 61925 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Bethany, IL 61914 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Sullivan, IL 61951 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Arthur, IL 61911 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
- Cerro Gordo, IL 61818 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Atwood, IL 61913 · last Apr 15, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lovington, IL?
- For ZIP code 61937, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sullivan 3S, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Lovington, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61937?
- 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.