Frost dates for 62909Boles, IL
The average last spring frost in Boles is April 14 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 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 10 | Sep 29 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 2 · Apr 19 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 15 | 211 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Boles
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 – Jul 1 |
| 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 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 1 |
| 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 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62909 is matched to the NOAA station Dixon Springs Agric Ctr, IL, 18.5 km away, at 527 ft elevation (150 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon Springs Agric Ctr, IL (used) | 527 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 21 |
| Grand Chain Dam 53, IL | 385 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 5 |
| Anna 2 Nne, IL | 640 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 29 |
| Carbondale Sewage Plt, IL | 390 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Boles
- Vienna, IL 62995 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Buncombe, IL 62912 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
- Simpson, IL 62985 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Cypress, IL 62923 · last Apr 3, first Nov 5
- Grantsburg, IL 62943 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Ozark, IL 62972 · last Apr 14, first Oct 21
- Belknap, IL 62908 · last Apr 3, first Nov 5
- Goreville, IL 62939 · last Apr 8, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Boles, IL?
- For ZIP code 62909, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dixon Springs Agric Ctr, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Boles, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 62909?
- 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.