Dale, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season193 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Dale compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dale falls between March 27 and April 26, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 193-day growing season is longer than 70% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 11 days earlier than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 110 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Evansville, IN, 81 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 33 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 27 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Dale, IL
Dale, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 11, first frost Oct 21, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dale, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Mcleansboro, IL weather station, 11 km away (elevation 446 ft (136 m)).
Frost dates near Dale
- Broughton Apr 11 · Oct 21
- Mc Leansboro Apr 11 · Oct 21
- Norris City Apr 15 · Oct 19
- Enfield Apr 15 · Oct 19
- Macedonia Apr 11 · Oct 21
- Raleigh Apr 7 · Oct 26
- Eldorado Apr 7 · Oct 26
- Omaha Apr 15 · Oct 19
- Galatia Apr 7 · Oct 26
- Springerton Apr 11 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dale, IL?
The median last spring frost in Dale, IL is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dale, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Dale, IL?
About 193 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dale, IL?
Dale, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.