Buckley, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season172 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Buckley compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Buckley falls between April 9 and May 9, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 26.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 172-day growing season is longer than 11% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 133 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Champaign, IL, 58 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 20 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 90% (late) | October 26 |
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 Buckley, IL
Buckley, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 12, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Buckley, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 28 – Nov 2 |
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 Paxton 2 Wsw, IL weather station, 19 km away (elevation 758 ft (231 m)).
Frost dates near Buckley
- Loda Apr 23 · Oct 12
- Thawville Apr 25 · Oct 20
- Roberts Apr 25 · Oct 20
- Onarga Apr 25 · Oct 20
- Cissna Park Apr 22 · Oct 19
- Paxton Apr 23 · Oct 12
- Gilman Apr 25 · Oct 20
- Melvin Apr 21 · Oct 17
- Claytonville Apr 22 · Oct 19
- Rankin Apr 22 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Buckley, IL?
The median last spring frost in Buckley, IL is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Buckley, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Buckley, IL?
About 172 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Buckley, IL?
Buckley, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.