Frost dates for 62442Martinsville, IL
The average last spring frost in Martinsville is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 187 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 187 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 11 · Apr 25 · May 12 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Oct 31 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 208 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Martinsville
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 – Jun 30 |
| 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 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 30 |
| 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 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62442 is matched to the NOAA station Casey, IL, 9.2 km away, at 620 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casey, IL (used) | 620 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 20 |
| Charleston, IL | 700 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| Robinson, IL | 535 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 22 |
| Paris Stp, IL | 649 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Martinsville
- Casey, IL 62420 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Westfield, IL 62474 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Marshall, IL 62441 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- West York, IL 62478 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- West Union, IL 62477 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- Greenup, IL 62428 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Annapolis, IL 62413 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- Yale, IL 62481 · last Apr 13, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Martinsville, IL?
- For ZIP code 62442, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Casey, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Martinsville, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. 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 62442?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 187 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.