Frost dates for 62353Mount Sterling, IL
The average last spring frost in Mount Sterling is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 179 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 179 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 15 · Apr 28 · May 15 | Sep 20 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 18 · May 5 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 179 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 6 · Apr 24 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mount Sterling
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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62353 is matched to the NOAA station Perry 6 Nw, IL, 20.6 km away, at 650 ft elevation (42 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perry 6 Nw, IL (used) | 650 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 15 |
| Rushville, IL | 673 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 23 |
| Golden, IL | 718 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 21 |
| Quincy Rgnl Ap, IL | 769 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Mount Sterling
- Timewell, IL 62375 · last Apr 18, first Oct 15
- Versailles, IL 62378 · last Apr 18, first Oct 15
- Clayton, IL 62324 · last Apr 14, first Oct 23
- Camden, IL 62319 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
- Chambersburg, IL 62323 · last Apr 18, first Oct 15
- Huntsville, IL 62344 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
- Perry, IL 62362 · last Apr 18, first Oct 15
- Rushville, IL 62681 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mount Sterling, IL?
- For ZIP code 62353, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Perry 6 Nw, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Mount Sterling, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62353?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 179 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.