Frost dates for 62445Montrose, IL
The average last spring frost in Montrose is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (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 10 · Apr 24 · May 14 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 15 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Montrose
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 2 |
| 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 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 2 |
| 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 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62445 is matched to the NOAA station Newton, IL, 22.6 km away, at 531 ft elevation (53 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton, IL (used) | 531 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 22 |
| Effingham 3Sw, IL | 625 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
| Neoga 4Nw, IL | 643 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 20 |
| Newton 6 Sse, IL | 510 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Montrose
- Jewett, IL 62436 · last Apr 13, first Oct 22
- Teutopolis, IL 62467 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Sigel, IL 62462 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Dieterich, IL 62424 · last Apr 13, first Oct 22
- Toledo, IL 62468 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Wheeler, IL 62479 · last Apr 13, first Oct 22
- Hidalgo, IL 62432 · last Apr 13, first Oct 22
- Effingham, IL 62401 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Montrose, IL?
- For ZIP code 62445, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Newton, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Montrose, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62445?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.