Frost dates for 62999Zeigler, IL
The average last spring frost in Zeigler is April 6 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 4 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Sep 29 · Oct 12 · Oct 26 | 176 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 6 · Apr 22 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 5 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 10 · Mar 27 · Apr 11 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 220 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Zeigler
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 62999 is matched to the NOAA station Du Quoin 4 Se, IL, 15.8 km away, at 420 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Du Quoin 4 Se, IL (used) | 420 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 22 |
| Rend Lake Dam, IL | 455 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 27 |
| Benton 2 N, IL | 445 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 28 |
| Carbondale Sewage Plt, IL | 390 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Zeigler
- Royalton, IL 62983 · last Apr 6, first Oct 22
- Freeman Spur, IL 62841 · last Apr 9, first Oct 22
- Orient, IL 62874 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Buckner, IL 62819 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Mulkeytown, IL 62865 · last Apr 6, first Oct 22
- Christopher, IL 62822 · last Apr 6, first Oct 22
- Hurst, IL 62949 · last Apr 9, first Oct 22
- West Frankfort, IL 62896 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Zeigler, IL?
- For ZIP code 62999, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Du Quoin 4 Se, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Zeigler, 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 62999?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 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.