Frost Dates for Rockton, IL 61072
Last spring frost April 30 · First fall frost October 6 · 159 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 61072 has about 11,300 people.
Moderate season: 159 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 16–May 14 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 21 (30 days).
Frost probability for 61072
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 14 | April 30 | April 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 6 | October 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ROCKFORD AP (28.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 159-day season in Rockton
In Rockton (159 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 26 | May 14–May 21 | 117 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jun 6 |
| Pepper | Mar 19 | May 14–May 21 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jun 11 |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 9. | Aug 4 |
| Cucumber | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 14. | Jul 10 |
| Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Peas | — | Mar 5–May 14 | 222 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 5. | Jul 26 |
| Zucchini | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Onion | Feb 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 5–Apr 23 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Kale | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 2. | Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 2. | Aug 4 |
| Radish | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 13. | Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 6 | 264 | overwinter: Plant Oct 6 to Oct 27; harvest the following summer. | Oct 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 26–May 21 | 215 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 7. | Jun 18 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 16 | May 14–May 14 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 14. | May 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 | Apr 23–May 7 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 23. | Jul 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 2. | Jul 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 14. | May 24 |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 117 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jun 16 |
| Okra | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Basil | Mar 26 | May 21–May 21 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 21. | Jul 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 2–Apr 23 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Parsley | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after May 7. | Jul 21 |
| Celery | Feb 19 | May 7–May 21 | 159 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 159 available after May 7. | Jun 1 |
| Scallions | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 2 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Collards | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jun 1 |
| Chives | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Oregano | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after May 7. | — |
| Sage | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after May 7. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 7. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Cosmos | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Lavender | Feb 5 | Apr 30–May 14 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 7 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Melons | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 14. | Jun 1 |
| Mint | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 138 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 138 available after May 7. | Jul 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 124 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 124 available after May 14. | Jun 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 30. | Jun 30 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 7. | Jun 11 |
| Watermelon | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 7. | Jun 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Zinnias | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
Month by month in Rockton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 5), Lavender (Feb 5), Onion (Feb 5), Rosemary (Feb 5), Celery (Feb 19), Collards (Feb 19), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), Sage (Mar 5), Swiss Chard (Mar 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 5), Beets (Mar 5), Dill (Mar 5), Peas (Mar 5), Radish (Mar 5), Spinach (Mar 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 26). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 2), Turnip (Apr 2), Carrots (Apr 9), Potatoes (Apr 16), Sunflowers (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 2), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 2), Cabbage (Apr 2), Collards (Apr 2), Kale (Apr 2), Lettuce (Apr 2), +12 more. Last frost around April 30. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 7), Pole Beans (May 7). Transplant from: Celery (May 7), Chives (May 7), Corn (May 7), Okra (May 7), Oregano (May 7), Parsley (May 7), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 24), Pumpkin (May 24). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 1), Celery (Jun 1), Melons (Jun 1), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 3), Tomato (Jun 6), Watermelon (Jun 6), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 5), Pole Beans (Jul 5), Basil (Jul 10), Cosmos (Jul 10), Cucumber (Jul 10), Zinnias (Jul 10), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 4), Carrots (Aug 4), Beets (Aug 5), Dill (Aug 5), Swiss Chard (Aug 5), Calendula (Aug 10), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 3), Spinach (Sep 3), Radish (Sep 4). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 6). First frost around October 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 27). |
| 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 Rockton, IL (ZIP 61072)?
The median last spring frost date for Rockton, IL (ZIP code 61072) is around April 30. 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 16; one in ten it runs past May 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Rockton, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Rockton, IL is around October 6. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Rockton, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Rockton is about 159 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 Rockton (159 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Rockton, IL?
Rockton, 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 Rockton, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 26 and plant out May 14 in Rockton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Rockton?
Two: plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13.
When do I plant garlic in Rockton?
Oct 6 to Oct 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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