Frost dates for 62056Litchfield, IL
The average last spring frost in Litchfield is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (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 9 · Apr 24 · May 11 | Sep 27 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 4 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 20 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Litchfield
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 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62056 is matched to the NOAA station Hillsboro, IL, 13.8 km away, at 630 ft elevation (59 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro, IL (used) | 630 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
| Carlinville, IL | 621 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 21 |
| Morrisonville, IL | 630 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 20 |
| Virden, IL | 675 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Litchfield
- Butler, IL 62015 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Eagarville, IL 62023 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Hillsboro, IL 62049 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Mount Olive, IL 62069 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Taylor Springs, IL 62089 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Walshville, IL 62091 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Raymond, IL 62560 · last Apr 12, first Oct 20
- Benld, IL 62009 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Litchfield, IL?
- For ZIP code 62056, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hillsboro, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Litchfield, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62056?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.