Frost Dates for Galesburg, IL 61401
Last spring frost April 19 · First fall frost October 13 · 177 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 61401 has about 30,600 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Galesburg.
Moderate season: 177 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 6–May 2 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 28–October 29 (31 days).
Frost probability for 61401
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 2 | April 19 | April 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 28 | October 13 | October 29 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MONMOUTH (20.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Galesburg, IL
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61401 | April 19 | October 13 | 5b |
| 61402 | April 19 | October 13 | 5b |
Which crops fit a 177-day season in Galesburg
In Galesburg (177 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 15 | May 3–May 10 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 3. | Jun 13 |
| Pepper | Mar 8 | May 3–May 10 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 3. | Jun 18 |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 29. | Aug 11 |
| Cucumber | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Peas | — | Feb 22–May 3 | 240 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 240 available after Feb 22. | Aug 2 |
| Zucchini | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Onion | Jan 25 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 22–Apr 12 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Kale | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 212 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 22. | Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 22. | Aug 11 |
| Radish | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Oct 20. | Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 13 | 282 | overwinter: Plant Oct 13 to Nov 3; harvest the following summer. | Nov 3 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 15–May 10 | 233 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 26. | Jun 25 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 5 | May 3–May 3 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | May 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 12. | Jul 23 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 5 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 10 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 22 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 22. | Jul 12 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | May 31 |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 3. | Jun 23 |
| Okra | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Basil | Mar 15 | May 10–May 10 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 22–Apr 12 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Parsley | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 26. | Jul 28 |
| Celery | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 10 | 177 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 26. | Jun 8 |
| Scallions | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 22 |
| Collards | Feb 8 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 3. | Jun 8 |
| Chives | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 22–May 17 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Oregano | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 25 | Apr 26–May 3 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Sage | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 8 | Apr 26–May 3 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Cosmos | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Lavender | Jan 25 | Apr 19–May 3 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 27 |
| Melons | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 3. | Jun 8 |
| Mint | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 22 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 156 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 26. | Jul 12 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 3. | Jun 10 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 19–May 3 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 19. | Jul 7 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 22 | Apr 26–May 3 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 26. | Jun 18 |
| Watermelon | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 26. | Jun 13 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 22 |
| Zinnias | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
Month by month in Galesburg
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 25), Lavender (Jan 25), Onion (Jan 25), Rosemary (Jan 25). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 8), Collards (Feb 8), Kale (Feb 8), Oregano (Feb 8), Parsley (Feb 8), Scallions (Feb 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 22), Beets (Feb 22), Dill (Feb 22), Peas (Feb 22), Radish (Feb 22), Spinach (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 1), Calendula (Mar 8), Cauliflower (Mar 8), Marigolds (Mar 8), Pepper (Mar 8), Basil (Mar 15), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 8), Cilantro (Mar 22), Turnip (Mar 22), Carrots (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 22), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 22), Cabbage (Mar 22), Collards (Mar 22), Kale (Mar 22), Lettuce (Mar 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 15). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 5), Cantaloupe (Apr 5), Melons (Apr 5), Pumpkin (Apr 5), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 5), Watermelon (Apr 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 5), Sunflowers (Apr 19), Beans (Apr 26), Pole Beans (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 5), Swiss Chard (Apr 5), Bok Choy (Apr 12), Cauliflower (Apr 12), Cosmos (Apr 19), Lavender (Apr 19), +15 more. Last frost around April 19. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Cucumber (May 3), Eggplant (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pepper (May 3), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 31), Pumpkin (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 8), Celery (Jun 8), Melons (Jun 8), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 10), Tomato (Jun 13), Watermelon (Jun 13), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 7), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 12), Pole Beans (Jul 12), Basil (Jul 17), Cosmos (Jul 17), Cucumber (Jul 17), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 2), Cabbage (Aug 11), Carrots (Aug 11), Beets (Aug 12), Dill (Aug 12), Swiss Chard (Aug 12), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 10), Spinach (Sep 10), Radish (Sep 11). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 13). First frost around October 13. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 3). |
| 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 Galesburg, IL (ZIP 61401)?
The median last spring frost date for Galesburg, IL (ZIP code 61401) is around April 19. 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 6; one in ten it runs past May 2.
What is the first fall frost date in Galesburg, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Galesburg, IL is around October 13. 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 28 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Galesburg, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Galesburg is about 177 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 Galesburg (177 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Galesburg, IL?
Galesburg, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (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 Galesburg, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 15 and plant out May 3 in Galesburg. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Galesburg?
Two: plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 20.
When do I plant garlic in Galesburg?
Oct 13 to Nov 3; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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