Frost dates for 62422Cowden, IL
The average last spring frost in Cowden is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 185 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 185 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (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 13 · Apr 26 · May 14 | Sep 24 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 15 · May 1 | Oct 3 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 185 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 4 · Apr 18 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 207 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cowden
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62422 is matched to the NOAA station Ramsey, IL, 20.8 km away, at 600 ft elevation (16 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramsey, IL (used) | 600 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 19 |
| Shelbyville Dam, IL | 650 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 24 |
| Pana, IL | 650 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| Effingham 3Sw, IL | 625 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Cowden
- Herrick, IL 62431 · last Apr 15, first Oct 19
- Beecher City, IL 62414 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Lakewood, IL 62438 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Mode, IL 62444 · last Apr 10, first Oct 24
- Oconee, IL 62553 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Tower Hill, IL 62571 · last Apr 17, first Oct 23
- Ramsey, IL 62080 · last Apr 15, first Oct 19
- Shumway, IL 62461 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cowden, IL?
- For ZIP code 62422, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ramsey, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Cowden, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62422?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 185 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.