Frost Dates for Metropolis, IL 62960
Last spring frost April 11 · First fall frost October 20 · 192 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 62960 has about 10,800 people.
Long season: 192 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 28–April 23 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 3–November 6 (34 days).
Frost probability for 62960
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 23 | April 11 | March 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 3 | October 20 | November 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BROOKPORT DAM 52 (12.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 192-day season in Metropolis
In Metropolis (192 frost-free days, a long 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 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 25. | Jun 20 |
| Pepper | Feb 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 150 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 25. | Jun 25 |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 234 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 21. | Aug 18 |
| Cucumber | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Peas | — | Feb 14–Apr 25 | 255 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 14. | Aug 9 |
| Zucchini | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Onion | Jan 17 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 227 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 14–Apr 4 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Kale | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 227 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 14. | Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 241 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 14. | Aug 18 |
| Radish | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 20 | 297 | overwinter: Plant Oct 20 to Nov 10; harvest the following summer. | Nov 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 7–May 2 | 248 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 7; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 18. | Jul 2 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 157 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 25. | Jun 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 206 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 4. | Jul 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Mar 28 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 241 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 14. | Jul 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 157 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 25. | Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 25. | Jun 30 |
| Okra | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Basil | Mar 7 | May 2–May 2 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 14–Apr 4 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Parsley | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 192 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 18. | Aug 4 |
| Celery | Jan 31 | Apr 18–May 2 | 192 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 18. | Jun 15 |
| Scallions | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Collards | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 150 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 25. | Jun 15 |
| Chives | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 14–May 9 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Oregano | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 206 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 17 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Sage | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 206 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 31 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Cosmos | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Lavender | Jan 17 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Melons | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 150 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 25. | Jun 15 |
| Mint | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 171 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 18. | Jul 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 157 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 25. | Jun 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 11. | Jul 14 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 18. | Jun 25 |
| Watermelon | Mar 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 18. | Jun 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 2 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Zinnias | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
Month by month in Metropolis
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 17), Lavender (Jan 17), Onion (Jan 17), Rosemary (Jan 17), Celery (Jan 31), Collards (Jan 31), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 14), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 14), Cabbage (Feb 14), Lettuce (Feb 14), Sage (Feb 14), Swiss Chard (Feb 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 14), Beets (Feb 14), Dill (Feb 14), Peas (Feb 14), Radish (Feb 14), Spinach (Feb 14), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 7), Tomato (Mar 7), Bok Choy (Mar 14), Corn (Mar 14), Cosmos (Mar 14), Nasturtiums (Mar 14), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 14), Turnip (Mar 14), Carrots (Mar 21), Potatoes (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 14), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 14), Cabbage (Mar 14), Collards (Mar 14), Kale (Mar 14), Lettuce (Mar 14), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 7). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 11), Beans (Apr 18), Pole Beans (Apr 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Cauliflower (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 11), Lavender (Apr 11), Marigolds (Apr 11), Mint (Apr 11), +24 more. Last frost around April 11. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 2). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 7), Pumpkin (Jun 7), Cantaloupe (Jun 15), Celery (Jun 15), Melons (Jun 15), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 17), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 2), Sunflowers (Jul 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 19), Pole Beans (Jul 19), Basil (Jul 24), Cosmos (Jul 24), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 3), Parsley (Aug 4), Peas (Aug 9), Cabbage (Aug 18), Carrots (Aug 18), Beets (Aug 19), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 2), Kohlrabi (Sep 2), Turnip (Sep 7), Arugula (Sep 17), Spinach (Sep 17), Radish (Sep 18). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 20). First frost around October 20. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 10). |
| 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 Metropolis, IL (ZIP 62960)?
The median last spring frost date for Metropolis, IL (ZIP code 62960) is around April 11. 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 March 28; one in ten it runs past April 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Metropolis, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Metropolis, IL is around October 20. 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 October 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Metropolis, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Metropolis is about 192 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 Metropolis (192 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Metropolis, IL?
Metropolis, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (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 Metropolis, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 7 and plant out Apr 25 in Metropolis. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Metropolis?
Two: plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27.
When do I plant garlic in Metropolis?
Oct 20 to Nov 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Metropolis?
Yes: plant out Apr 25 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 20 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Benton (ZIP 42025) has 206 frost-free days, 14 more than Metropolis (ZIP 62960). See Benton ZIP 42025 frost dates
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