Frost Dates for Macomb, IL 61455

Last spring frost April 19 · First fall frost October 14 · 178 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a

ZIP 61455 has about 17,300 people.

Moderate season: 178 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 61455

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 2April 19April 6
Fall (first frost)September 28October 14October 29

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MONMOUTH (56.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 178-day season in Macomb

In Macomb (178 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 15May 3–May 10136fits: 80 days to maturity, 136 available after May 3.Jun 14
PepperMar 8May 3–May 10136fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 3.Jun 19
LettuceFeb 22Mar 22–Mar 29213two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 23
Carrots—Mar 29–Apr 5220fits: 70 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 29.Aug 12
CucumberMar 29May 3–May 10150two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30.Jul 18
Beans—Apr 26–May 10164two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7.Jul 25
Peas—Feb 22–May 3241fits: 65 days to maturity, 241 available after Feb 22.Aug 3
ZucchiniApr 5May 3–May 10150two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30.Jul 23
OnionJan 25Mar 22–Apr 5213fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 22.—
Spinach—Feb 22–Apr 12255two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4.Sep 11
KaleFeb 8Mar 22–Apr 5227two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4.Aug 27
BroccoliFeb 22Mar 22–Apr 5213fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 22.Jul 19
CabbageFeb 22Mar 22–Apr 5227fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 22.Aug 12
Radish—Feb 22–May 17241two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Oct 21.Sep 12
Beets—Feb 22–May 17241two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 13
Potatoes—Apr 5–Apr 12199fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 5.—
Garlic—Oct 14283overwinter: Plant Oct 14 to Nov 4; harvest the following summer.Nov 4
Strawberry—Mar 15–May 10234perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornMar 22Apr 26–May 3150fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 26.Jun 26
PumpkinApr 5May 3–May 3143fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 3.Jun 1
CauliflowerMar 8Apr 12–Apr 26192fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 12.Jul 24
Swiss ChardFeb 22Apr 5–Apr 5199two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 13
Arugula—Feb 22–May 17255two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4.Sep 11
Brussel SproutsFeb 22Mar 22–Apr 5227fits: 100 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 22.Jul 13
Butternut SquashApr 5May 3–May 10143fits: 100 days to maturity, 143 available after May 3.Jun 1
EggplantMar 1May 3–May 10136fits: 70 days to maturity, 136 available after May 3.Jun 24
OkraMar 22Apr 26–May 3157two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30.Jul 23
BasilMar 15May 10–May 10143two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30.Jul 18
Cilantro—Mar 22–Apr 12213two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 18
ParsleyFeb 8Apr 26–May 3178fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 26.Jul 29
CeleryFeb 8Apr 26–May 10178fits: 120 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 26.Jun 9
ScallionsFeb 8Mar 22–Apr 5227two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4.Aug 22
Turnip—Mar 22–Apr 5227two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4.Sep 1
Kohlrabi—Mar 8–Mar 22241two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4.Aug 27
Bok ChoyMar 22Apr 12–Apr 19192two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 23
CollardsFeb 8Mar 22–Apr 5227two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4.Aug 22
CantaloupeApr 5May 3–May 10136fits: 85 days to maturity, 136 available after May 3.Jun 9
ChivesJan 25Apr 26–May 3192fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 26.—
Dill—Feb 22–May 17241two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 13
OreganoFeb 8Apr 26–May 3192fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 26.—
RosemaryJan 25Apr 26–May 3178fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 26.—
SageFeb 22Apr 26–May 3192fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 26.—
ThymeFeb 8Apr 26–May 3192fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 26.—
CalendulaMar 8Apr 5–Apr 19199two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21.Aug 18
CosmosMar 22Apr 19–May 3164two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30.Jul 18
LavenderJan 25Apr 19–May 3199fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 19.—
MarigoldsMar 8Apr 19–Apr 26164two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30.Jul 28
MelonsApr 5May 3–May 10136fits: 85 days to maturity, 136 available after May 3.Jun 9
Mint—Apr 19–May 3199fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 19.—
NasturtiumsMar 22Apr 19–Apr 26164two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30.Jul 23
Pole Beans—Apr 26–May 10157fits: 65 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 26.Jul 13
Spaghetti SquashApr 5May 3–May 10143fits: 90 days to maturity, 143 available after May 3.Jun 11
Sunflowers—Apr 19–May 3164fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 19.Jul 8
TomatillosFeb 22Apr 26–May 3143fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 26.Jun 19
WatermelonApr 5Apr 26–May 3143fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after Apr 26.Jun 14
Yellow SquashApr 5May 3–May 10150two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30.Jul 23
ZinniasMar 22Apr 19–May 3164two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30.Jul 18

Month by month in Macomb

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryStart indoors: Chives (Jan 25), Lavender (Jan 25), Onion (Jan 25), Rosemary (Jan 25).
FebruaryStart 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).
MarchStart 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).
AprilStart 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.
MayTransplant from: Butternut Squash (May 3), Cantaloupe (May 3), Cucumber (May 3), Eggplant (May 3), Melons (May 3), Pepper (May 3), +6 more.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 1), Pumpkin (Jun 1), Cantaloupe (Jun 9), Celery (Jun 9), Melons (Jun 9), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 11), +6 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 8), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 13), Pole Beans (Jul 13), Basil (Jul 18), Cosmos (Jul 18), Cucumber (Jul 18), +10 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Peas (Aug 3), Cabbage (Aug 12), Carrots (Aug 12), Beets (Aug 13), Dill (Aug 13), Swiss Chard (Aug 13), +8 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 1), Arugula (Sep 11), Spinach (Sep 11), Radish (Sep 12).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 14). First frost around October 14.
NovemberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 4).
DecemberClean 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 Macomb, IL (ZIP 61455)?

The median last spring frost date for Macomb, IL (ZIP code 61455) 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 Macomb, IL?

The median first fall frost date for Macomb, IL is around October 14. 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 Macomb, IL?

The frost-free growing season in Macomb is about 178 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 Macomb (178 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 Macomb, IL?

Macomb, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Macomb, IL?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 15 and plant out May 3 in Macomb. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Macomb?

Two: plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21.

When do I plant garlic in Macomb?

Oct 14 to Nov 4; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Burlington (ZIP 52601) has 188 frost-free days, 10 more than Macomb (ZIP 61455). See Burlington ZIP 52601 frost dates

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