Frost dates for 62563Rochester, IL
The average last spring frost in Rochester 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 29 (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 10 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 22 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 187 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 3 · Apr 18 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rochester
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 62563 is matched to the NOAA station Springfield Capital Ap, IL, 17.4 km away, at 594 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield Capital Ap, IL (used) | 594 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 20 |
| Springfield #2, IL | 599 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 22 |
| Virden, IL | 675 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| Athens 4Sw, IL | 594 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Rochester
- Springfield, IL 62712 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Pawnee, IL 62558 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Glenarm, IL 62536 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Chatham, IL 62629 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Mechanicsburg, IL 62545 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Riverton, IL 62561 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Edinburg, IL 62531 · last Apr 12, first Oct 20
- Tovey, IL 62570 · last Apr 12, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rochester, IL?
- For ZIP code 62563, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Springfield Capital Ap, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Rochester, 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 62563?
- 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.