Frost dates for 62451Palestine, IL
The average last spring frost in Palestine is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 164 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 9 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Sep 25 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 12 · Apr 26 | Oct 5 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 215 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Palestine
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62451 is matched to the NOAA station Palestine, IL, 0.8 km away, at 450 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palestine, IL (used) | 450 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 22 |
| Robinson, IL | 535 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 22 |
| Lawrenceville Intl Ap, IL | 429 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 26 |
| Freelandville, IN | 550 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Palestine
- Merom, IN 47861 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- Robinson, IL 62454 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- Flat Rock, IL 62427 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- Hutsonville, IL 62433 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- Graysville, IN 47852 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- Stoy, IL 62464 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
- Paxton, IN 47865 · last Apr 9, first Oct 30
- Annapolis, IL 62413 · last Apr 12, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Palestine, IL?
- For ZIP code 62451, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Palestine, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Palestine, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. 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 62451?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.