Frost dates for 62872Opdyke, IL
The average last spring frost in Opdyke is April 11 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (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 23 · May 8 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 172 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 11 · Apr 26 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 1 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Opdyke
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 11 – May 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jun 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 4 – May 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – May 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62872 is matched to the NOAA station Mt Vernon 3 Ne, IL, 10.6 km away, at 490 ft elevation (9 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Vernon 3 Ne, IL (used) | 490 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 22 |
| Mcleansboro, IL | 446 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 21 |
| Iuka 12 Sw, IL | 590 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 24 |
| Benton 2 N, IL | 445 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Opdyke
- Belle Rive, IL 62810 · last Apr 11, first Oct 22
- Bluford, IL 62814 · last Apr 11, first Oct 22
- Mount Vernon, IL 62864 · last Apr 11, first Oct 22
- Dahlgren, IL 62828 · last Apr 11, first Oct 22
- Keenes, IL 62851 · last Apr 11, first Oct 22
- Bonnie, IL 62816 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Ina, IL 62846 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Wayne City, IL 62895 · last Apr 7, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Opdyke, IL?
- For ZIP code 62872, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mt Vernon 3 Ne, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Opdyke, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62872?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.