Frost dates for 62532Elwin, IL
The average last spring frost in Elwin is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 192 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 192 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (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 12 · Apr 26 · May 13 | Sep 30 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · May 1 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 192 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elwin
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 – Jul 4 |
| 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 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 4 |
| 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 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62532 is matched to the NOAA station Decatur Wtp, IL, 6 km away, at 639 ft elevation (70 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur Wtp, IL (used) | 639 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 24 |
| Decatur Ap, IL | 675 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 22 |
| Sullivan 3S, IL | 640 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Shelbyville Dam, IL | 650 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Elwin
- Boody, IL 62514 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Decatur, IL 62522 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Macon, IL 62544 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Mt Zion, IL 62549 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
- Harristown, IL 62537 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Blue Mound, IL 62513 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Forsyth, IL 62535 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Dalton City, IL 61925 · last Apr 16, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elwin, IL?
- For ZIP code 62532, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Decatur Wtp, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Elwin, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62532?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 192 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.