Fall in zone 5bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 61080 (South Beloit, IL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Beloit, WI (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)162 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
54°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 53°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Shabbona 5 NNE (45 mi).
4-inch depth
55°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Shabbona 5 NNE (45 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 61080 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 55°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 17 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 1 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 16 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 28 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 12 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 24 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 11 | Oct 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 1 | Oct 12 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 61080
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 12). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 6–20 | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 20–Mar 6 | May 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 20–Mar 6 | May 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 6–20 | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 6–20 | Apr 10–May 1 (transplant) Apr 3–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–Sep 7 (transplant) Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) Jul 6–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 6–20 | Apr 3–May 1 (transplant) Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) Jul 6–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 13 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Apr 17–May 8 (transplant) Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 10–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 27–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 10–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 6–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 31–Sep 28 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 6 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 22–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 3–10 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 3–10 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 3–10 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 3–10 | May 15–29 (transplant) May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 3–10 | May 15–29 (transplant) May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 15–29 (transplant) May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 6–20 | May 8–15 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 8–22 (transplant) May 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 10–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 3–31 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Beloit, WI (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00470696), elevation 788 ft, 2.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Wwtp, WI | 7 mi | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Afton - Janesville Wwtp, WI | 12 mi | Apr 26 | Oct 15 |
| Delavan Wwtp, WI | 20 mi | Apr 28 | Oct 14 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 61080
When is the last frost in 61080?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 61080 is May 1. For a more cautious planting date, use May 16, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 61080?
The average first fall freeze is October 12. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 28.
What hardiness zone is 61080?
ZIP 61080 is in USDA zone 5b (-15 to -10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 61080 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
61073 Roscoe 61011 Loves Park 53511 Beloit 53525 Clinton 61072 Rockton 61115 Machesney Park 61065 Poplar Grove 53501
Other ZIP codes in Winnebago County
61016 61024 61063 61072 61073 61077 61079 61088 61101 61102 61103 61104 61107 61108 61109 61111 61112 61114 61115 All Winnebago County frost dates · Illinois frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.