Frost dates for ZIP 61331 (Lee Center, 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, Compton 1 NW, IL (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2750% 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)167 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 61331 (Lee Center)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 61331, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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.
This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 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 54°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Shabbona 5 NNE (23 mi).
4-inch depth
55°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Shabbona 5 NNE (23 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 61331 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 (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
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 12 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 27 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 14 |
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 27 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 12 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 25 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 8 | Oct 2 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 27 | Oct 12 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 16 | Oct 24 |
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 61331
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 27) 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 2–16 | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 16–Mar 2 | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 16–Mar 2 | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 2–16 | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 2–16 | Apr 6–27 (transplant) Mar 30–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–Sep 7 (transplant) Aug 3–31 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 16–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) Jul 6–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 27 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 17 (transplant) Jul 6–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 6–Aug 3 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 13 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 30–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 16–30 | Apr 13–May 4 (transplant) Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 23–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 30–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 20–Aug 3 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 2–16 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 16–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 3–17 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 31–Sep 28 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jun 22–Jul 6 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 18–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 18–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 30–Apr 6 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 30–Apr 6 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 30–Apr 6 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 30–Apr 6 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 30–Apr 6 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 16–30 | May 11–25 (transplant) May 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 2–16 | May 4–11 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 16–30 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 13–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 16–Mar 2 | Apr 13–27 (transplant) Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 17–31 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (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: Compton 1 NW, IL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00111835), elevation 905 ft, 9.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon 1W, IL | 14 mi | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
| Rochelle, IL | 16 mi | Apr 26 | Oct 13 |
| Paw Paw 2S, IL | 16 mi | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 61331
When is the last frost in 61331?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 61331 is April 27. For a more cautious planting date, use May 14, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 61331?
The average first fall freeze is October 12. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 27.
What hardiness zone is 61331?
ZIP 61331 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 61331 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
61310 Amboy 61031 Franklin Grove 61378 West Brooklyn 61324 61057 Nachusa 61367 Sublette 61006 Ashton 61318 Compton
Other ZIP codes in Lee County
60530 60553 61006 61021 61031 61042 61057 61310 61318 61324 61353 61367 61378 All Lee County frost dates · Illinois frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
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.