Frost Dates for Rock Falls, IL 61071
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 7 · 164 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 61071 has about 13,600 people.
Moderate season: 164 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 11–May 12 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 21 (27 days).
Frost probability for 61071
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | April 26 | April 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 24 | October 7 | October 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WALNUT (20.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 164-day season in Rock Falls
In Rock Falls (164 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 22 | May 10–May 17 | 122 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 10. | Jun 7 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 122 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 122 available after May 10. | Jun 12 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 206 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 5. | Aug 5 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 227 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 1. | Jul 27 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 199 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 199 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 199 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Mar 29. | Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 213 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 29. | Aug 5 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 14. | Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 7 | 269 | overwinter: Plant Oct 7 to Oct 28; harvest the following summer. | Oct 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 220 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 136 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 3. | Jun 19 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 129 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 10. | May 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 19. | Jul 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 213 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 29. | Jul 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 129 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 129 available after May 10. | May 25 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 122 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 122 available after May 10. | Jun 17 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 129 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 129 available after May 17. | Jul 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 164 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after May 3. | Jul 22 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 164 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 164 available after May 3. | Jun 2 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 122 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 10. | Jun 2 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 164 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 122 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 122 available after May 10. | Jun 2 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 185 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 143 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 143 available after May 3. | Jul 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 129 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 129 available after May 10. | Jun 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 26. | Jul 1 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 129 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 129 available after May 3. | Jun 12 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 129 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 129 available after May 3. | Jun 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
Month by month in Rock Falls
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Onion (Feb 1), Rosemary (Feb 1), Celery (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), Sage (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 1), Beets (Mar 1), Dill (Mar 1), Peas (Mar 1), Radish (Mar 1), Spinach (Mar 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 29), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 29), Cabbage (Mar 29), Collards (Mar 29), Kale (Mar 29), Lettuce (Mar 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 5), Butternut Squash (Apr 12), Cantaloupe (Apr 12), Melons (Apr 12), Pumpkin (Apr 12), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 5), Potatoes (Apr 12), Sunflowers (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 12), Swiss Chard (Apr 12), Bok Choy (Apr 19), Cauliflower (Apr 19), Cosmos (Apr 26), Lavender (Apr 26), +4 more. Last frost around April 26. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 3), Pole Beans (May 3). Transplant from: Celery (May 3), Chives (May 3), Corn (May 3), Okra (May 3), Oregano (May 3), Parsley (May 3), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 25), Pumpkin (May 25). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Celery (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 4), Tomato (Jun 7), Watermelon (Jun 7), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 6), Pole Beans (Jul 6), Basil (Jul 11), Cosmos (Jul 11), Cucumber (Jul 11), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 5), Carrots (Aug 5), Beets (Aug 6), Dill (Aug 6), Swiss Chard (Aug 6), Calendula (Aug 11), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 4), Spinach (Sep 4), Radish (Sep 5). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 7). First frost around October 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 28). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Rock Falls, IL (ZIP 61071)?
The median last spring frost date for Rock Falls, IL (ZIP code 61071) is around April 26. 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 11; one in ten it runs past May 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Rock Falls, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Rock Falls, IL is around October 7. 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 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Rock Falls, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Rock Falls is about 164 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 Rock Falls (164 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Rock Falls, IL?
Rock Falls, 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 Rock Falls, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 in Rock Falls. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Rock Falls?
Two: plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14.
When do I plant garlic in Rock Falls?
Oct 7 to Oct 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Geneseo (ZIP 61254) has 178 frost-free days, 14 more than Rock Falls (ZIP 61071). See Geneseo ZIP 61254 frost dates
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