Frost dates for 62659Lincoln'S New Salem, IL
The average last spring frost in Lincoln'S New Salem is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (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 8 | Sep 29 · Oct 12 · Oct 23 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 210 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lincoln'S New Salem
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 1 |
| 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 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 1 |
| 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 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62659 is matched to the NOAA station Petersburg 1E, IL, 4.4 km away, at 600 ft elevation (4 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg 1E, IL (used) | 600 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 21 |
| Athens 4Sw, IL | 594 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
| Mason City 4Se, IL | 600 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 18 |
| Springfield Capital Ap, IL | 594 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Lincoln'S New Salem
- Petersburg, IL 62675 · last Apr 13, first Oct 21
- Greenview, IL 62642 · last Apr 17, first Oct 18
- Athens, IL 62613 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Cantrall, IL 62625 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Tallula, IL 62688 · last Apr 14, first Oct 20
- Oakford, IL 62673 · last Apr 13, first Oct 21
- Middletown, IL 62666 · last Apr 20, first Oct 16
- Mason City, IL 62664 · last Apr 17, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lincoln'S New Salem, IL?
- For ZIP code 62659, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Petersburg 1E, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Lincoln'S New Salem, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62659?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 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.