Frost dates for 61957Windsor, IL
The average last spring frost in Windsor 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 8 (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 14 · Apr 27 · May 14 | Sep 26 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 5 · Apr 20 | Oct 21 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Windsor
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 61957 is matched to the NOAA station Windsor, IL, 2 km away, at 690 ft elevation (32 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor, IL (used) | 690 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Neoga 4Nw, IL | 643 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 20 |
| Sullivan 3S, IL | 640 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Shelbyville Dam, IL | 650 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Windsor
- Gays, IL 61928 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Strasburg, IL 62465 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Neoga, IL 62447 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Findlay, IL 62534 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Stewardson, IL 62463 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Sullivan, IL 61951 · last Apr 15, first Oct 22
- Mattoon, IL 61938 · last Apr 15, first Oct 24
- Shelbyville, IL 62565 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Windsor, IL?
- For ZIP code 61957, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Windsor, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Windsor, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61957?
- 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.