Frost Dates for Freeport, IL 61032
Last spring frost May 7 · First fall frost September 30 · 146 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 61032 has about 29,000 people.
Moderate season: 146 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 21–May 23 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 18–October 12 (24 days).
Frost probability for 61032
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 23 | May 7 | April 21 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 18 | September 30 | October 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BRODHEAD WWTP (39.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 146-day season in Freeport
In Freeport (146 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 2 | May 21–May 28 | 104 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 104 available after May 21. | May 31 |
| Pepper | Mar 26 | May 21–May 28 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 21. | Jun 5 |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 9 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 16. | Jul 29 |
| Cucumber | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 21. | Jul 4 |
| Beans | — | May 14–May 28 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 14. | Jul 11 |
| Peas | — | Mar 12–May 21 | 209 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 12. | Jul 20 |
| Zucchini | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 21. | Jul 9 |
| Onion | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 181 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 12–Apr 30 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 28 |
| Kale | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 9. | Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 9. | Jul 29 |
| Radish | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 30 | 251 | overwinter: Plant Sep 30 to Oct 21; harvest the following summer. | Oct 21 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 2–May 28 | 202 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 14. | Jun 12 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 23 | May 21–May 21 | 111 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 111 available after May 21. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 14 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 30. | Jul 10 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 23 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 28 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 9. | Jun 29 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 111 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 111 available after May 21. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 104 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 104 available after May 21. | Jun 10 |
| Okra | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 16. | Jul 9 |
| Basil | Apr 2 | May 28–May 28 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 28. | Jul 4 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 9–Apr 30 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Parsley | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after May 14. | Jul 15 |
| Celery | Feb 26 | May 14–May 28 | 146 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 146 available after May 14. | May 26 |
| Scallions | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 9 |
| Collards | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 104 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 104 available after May 21. | May 26 |
| Chives | Feb 12 | May 14–May 21 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 14. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 12–Jun 4 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Oregano | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 14. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 12 | May 14–May 21 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after May 14. | — |
| Sage | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after May 14. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 26 | May 14–May 21 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 14. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Cosmos | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 7. | Jul 4 |
| Lavender | Feb 12 | May 7–May 21 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 7. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 26 | May 7–May 14 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 16. | Jul 14 |
| Melons | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 104 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 104 available after May 21. | May 26 |
| Mint | — | May 7–May 21 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 7. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 16. | Jul 9 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 14–May 28 | 125 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 125 available after May 14. | Jun 29 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 111 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 111 available after May 21. | May 28 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 7–May 21 | 132 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 132 available after May 7. | Jun 24 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 14. | Jun 5 |
| Watermelon | Apr 23 | May 14–May 21 | 111 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 14. | May 31 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 23 | May 21–May 28 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 21. | Jul 9 |
| Zinnias | Apr 9 | May 7–May 21 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 7. | Jul 4 |
Month by month in Freeport
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 12), Lavender (Feb 12), Onion (Feb 12), Rosemary (Feb 12), Celery (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 12), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 12), Cabbage (Mar 12), Lettuce (Mar 12), Sage (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 12), Beets (Mar 12), Dill (Mar 12), Peas (Mar 12), Radish (Mar 12), Spinach (Mar 12), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 2), Tomato (Apr 2), Bok Choy (Apr 9), Corn (Apr 9), Cosmos (Apr 9), Nasturtiums (Apr 9), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 9), Turnip (Apr 9), Carrots (Apr 16), Potatoes (Apr 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 9), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 9), Cabbage (Apr 9), Collards (Apr 9), Kale (Apr 9), Lettuce (Apr 9), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 2). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 7), Beans (May 14), Pole Beans (May 14). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 7), Lavender (May 7), Marigolds (May 7), Mint (May 7), Nasturtiums (May 7), Zinnias (May 7), +23 more. Last frost around May 7. Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (May 26), Celery (May 26), Melons (May 26), Spaghetti Squash (May 28), Tomato (May 31), Watermelon (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 5), Tomatillos (Jun 5), Eggplant (Jun 10), Corn (Jun 12), Sunflowers (Jun 24), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 29), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 4), Cosmos (Jul 4), Cucumber (Jul 4), Zinnias (Jul 4), Broccoli (Jul 5), Nasturtiums (Jul 9), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 4), Cilantro (Aug 4), Collards (Aug 8), Scallions (Aug 8), Bok Choy (Aug 9), Lettuce (Aug 9), +6 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 30). First frost around September 30. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 21). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Freeport, IL (ZIP 61032)?
The median last spring frost date for Freeport, IL (ZIP code 61032) is around May 7. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 21; one in ten it runs past May 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Freeport, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Freeport, IL is around September 30. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Freeport, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Freeport is about 146 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Freeport (146 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 18 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Freeport, IL?
Freeport, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Freeport, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 2 and plant out May 21 in Freeport. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Freeport?
Two: plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 7.
When do I plant garlic in Freeport?
Sep 30 to Oct 21; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Rockton (ZIP 61072) has 159 frost-free days, 13 more than Freeport (ZIP 61032). See Rockton ZIP 61072 frost dates
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