Albany, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season177 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Albany compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Albany falls between April 9 and May 8, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 177-day growing season is longer than 21% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 9 days earlier than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 129 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Davenport, IA, 39 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Albany, IL
Albany, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 16, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Albany, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Clinton #1, IA weather station, 6 km away (elevation 584 ft (178 m)).
Frost dates near Albany
- Fulton Apr 13 · Oct 26
- Cordova Apr 22 · Oct 16
- Fenton Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Erie Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Hillsdale Apr 16 · Oct 25
- Morrison Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Port Byron Apr 16 · Oct 25
- Rapids City Apr 16 · Oct 25
- Lyndon Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Thomson Apr 13 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Albany, IL?
The median last spring frost in Albany, IL is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Albany, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Albany, IL?
About 177 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Albany, IL?
Albany, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.