Frost dates for 62538Harvel, IL
The average last spring frost in Harvel is April 12 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 12
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after Apr 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 24 · May 10 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 23 | 167 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 16 | 213 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Harvel
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 – Jun 30 |
| 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 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 30 |
| 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 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62538 is matched to the NOAA station Morrisonville, IL, 8.2 km away, at 630 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrisonville, IL (used) | 630 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 20 |
| Hillsboro, IL | 630 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
| Virden, IL | 675 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| Carlinville, IL | 621 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Harvel
- Raymond, IL 62560 · last Apr 12, first Oct 20
- Morrisonville, IL 62546 · last Apr 12, first Oct 20
- Waggoner, IL 62572 · last Apr 12, first Oct 20
- Farmersville, IL 62533 · last Apr 12, first Oct 20
- Palmer, IL 62556 · last Apr 12, first Oct 20
- Butler, IL 62015 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Irving, IL 62051 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Witt, IL 62094 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Harvel, IL?
- For ZIP code 62538, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Morrisonville, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 27.
- When is the first frost in Harvel, 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 62538?
- 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.