Frost dates for 62352Milton, IL
The average last spring frost in Milton is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 166 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 12 · Apr 26 · May 10 | Sep 25 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 5 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milton
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62352 is matched to the NOAA station Pittsfield #2, IL, 14.5 km away, at 670 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield #2, IL (used) | 670 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 21 |
| Winchester, IL | 551 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 20 |
| White Hall 1 E, IL | 580 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 22 |
| Clarksville L&D 24, MO | 460 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Milton
- Pearl, IL 62361 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Pittsfield, IL 62363 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Hillview, IL 62050 · last Apr 13, first Oct 22
- Patterson, IL 62078 · last Apr 13, first Oct 22
- Winchester, IL 62694 · last Apr 18, first Oct 20
- Griggsville, IL 62340 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Alsey, IL 62610 · last Apr 18, first Oct 20
- Nebo, IL 62355 · last Apr 4, first Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milton, IL?
- For ZIP code 62352, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pittsfield #2, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Milton, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62352?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.