Frost dates for 62853Kell, IL
The average last spring frost in Kell is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 161 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 8 · Apr 23 · May 11 | Sep 29 · Oct 14 · Oct 26 | 172 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 9 · Apr 25 | Oct 10 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 15 · Mar 30 · Apr 11 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 19 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kell
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 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62853 is matched to the NOAA station Iuka 12 Sw, IL, 5.6 km away, at 590 ft elevation (29 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iuka 12 Sw, IL (used) | 590 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 24 |
| Salem, IL | 550 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 26 |
| Mt Vernon 3 Ne, IL | 490 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 22 |
| Flora 5 Nw, IL | 500 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Kell
- Dix, IL 62830 · last Apr 9, first Oct 24
- Texico, IL 62889 · last Apr 11, first Oct 22
- Walnut Hill, IL 62893 · last Apr 9, first Oct 24
- Salem, IL 62881 · last Apr 9, first Oct 26
- Odin, IL 62870 · last Apr 9, first Oct 26
- Iuka, IL 62849 · last Apr 9, first Oct 26
- Centralia, IL 62801 · last Apr 9, first Oct 24
- Woodlawn, IL 62898 · last Apr 9, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kell, IL?
- For ZIP code 62853, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Iuka 12 Sw, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Kell, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62853?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.