Frost dates for 62028Elsah, IL
The average last spring frost in Elsah is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 203 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 203 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 156 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 4 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 181 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 203 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 26 · Apr 9 | Oct 26 · Nov 6 · Nov 24 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elsah
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62028 is matched to the NOAA station St Charles Co Ap, MO, 7.3 km away, at 436 ft elevation (128 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Charles Co Ap, MO (used) | 436 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 27 |
| Jerseyville 2 Sw, IL | 630 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 19 |
| Alton - Melvin Price L&D, IL | 405 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 5 |
| St Charles Elm Pt, MO | 472 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Elsah
- Portage Des Sioux, MO 63373 · last Apr 5, first Oct 27
- Grafton, IL 62037 · last Apr 14, first Oct 19
- Dow, IL 62022 · last Apr 14, first Oct 19
- Godfrey, IL 62035 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
- West Alton, MO 63386 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
- Florissant, MO 63034 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Alton, IL 62002 · last Apr 4, first Nov 5
- Jerseyville, IL 62052 · last Apr 14, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elsah, IL?
- For ZIP code 62028, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the St Charles Co Ap, MO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Elsah, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62028?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 203 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.