Frost Dates for Rockford, IL 61104
Rockford has 9 ZIP codes. The Rockford, IL frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 28 · First fall frost October 8 · 163 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 61104 has about 17,200 people, one of 9 ZIP codes in Rockford.
Moderate season: 163 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 11–May 14 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 24–October 22 (28 days).
Frost probability for 61104
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 14 | April 28 | April 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 24 | October 8 | October 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at DE KALB (43.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 163-day season in Rockford
In Rockford (163 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 24 | May 12–May 19 | 121 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 121 available after May 12. | Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Mar 17 | May 12–May 19 | 121 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after May 12. | Jun 13 |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 7. | Aug 6 |
| Cucumber | Apr 7 | May 12–May 19 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Peas | — | Mar 3–May 12 | 226 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 3. | Jul 28 |
| Zucchini | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Onion | Feb 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 198 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 198 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 3–Apr 21 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Kale | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Mar 31. | Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 31. | Aug 6 |
| Radish | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15. | Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 8 | 268 | overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer. | Oct 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 24–May 19 | 219 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 5. | Jun 20 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 14 | May 12–May 12 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 12. | May 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 | Apr 21–May 5 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 21. | Jul 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 31. | Jul 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 12. | May 26 |
| Eggplant | Mar 10 | May 12–May 19 | 121 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 121 available after May 12. | Jun 18 |
| Okra | Mar 31 | May 5–May 12 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Basil | Mar 24 | May 19–May 19 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 19. | Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 31–Apr 21 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Parsley | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after May 5. | Jul 23 |
| Celery | Feb 17 | May 5–May 19 | 163 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 163 available after May 5. | Jun 3 |
| Scallions | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Collards | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 121 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 121 available after May 12. | Jun 3 |
| Chives | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 3–May 26 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Oregano | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after May 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 3 | May 5–May 12 | 163 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 163 available after May 5. | — |
| Sage | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after May 5. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 17 | May 5–May 12 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 5. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Cosmos | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Lavender | Feb 3 | Apr 28–May 12 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 17 | Apr 28–May 5 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Melons | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 121 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 121 available after May 12. | Jun 3 |
| Mint | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 5–May 19 | 142 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 142 available after May 5. | Jul 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 128 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 128 available after May 12. | Jun 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 28–May 12 | 149 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 28. | Jul 2 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 3 | May 5–May 12 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 5. | Jun 13 |
| Watermelon | Apr 14 | May 5–May 12 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 5. | Jun 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 14 | May 12–May 19 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 12 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Zinnias | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 12 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
Month by month in Rockford
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 3), Lavender (Feb 3), Onion (Feb 3), Rosemary (Feb 3), Celery (Feb 17), Collards (Feb 17), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), Sage (Mar 3), Swiss Chard (Mar 3), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 3), Beets (Mar 3), Dill (Mar 3), Peas (Mar 3), Radish (Mar 3), Spinach (Mar 3), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 31), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 31), Cabbage (Mar 31), Collards (Mar 31), Kale (Mar 31), Lettuce (Mar 31), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 24). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 7), Butternut Squash (Apr 14), Cantaloupe (Apr 14), Melons (Apr 14), Pumpkin (Apr 14), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 7), Potatoes (Apr 14), Sunflowers (Apr 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 14), Swiss Chard (Apr 14), Bok Choy (Apr 21), Cauliflower (Apr 21), Cosmos (Apr 28), Lavender (Apr 28), +4 more. Last frost around April 28. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 5), Pole Beans (May 5). Transplant from: Celery (May 5), Chives (May 5), Corn (May 5), Okra (May 5), Oregano (May 5), Parsley (May 5), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 26), Pumpkin (May 26). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29). |
| 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 Rockford, IL (ZIP 61104)?
The median last spring frost date for Rockford, IL (ZIP code 61104) is around April 28. 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 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Rockford, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Rockford, IL is around October 8. 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 Rockford, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Rockford is about 163 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 Rockford (163 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 Rockford, IL?
Rockford, 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 Rockford, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 24 and plant out May 12 in Rockford. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Rockford?
Two: plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.
When do I plant garlic in Rockford?
Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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