Golden, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season186 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Golden compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Golden falls between April 3 and May 1, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 186-day growing season is longer than 46% 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 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 124 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 3 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 1 |
| 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 Golden, IL
Golden, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 21, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Golden, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 21 – Apr 25 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| 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 Golden, IL weather station, 2 km away (elevation 719 ft (219 m)).
Frost dates near Golden
- La Prairie Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Camp Point Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Bowen Apr 13 · Oct 22
- Clayton Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Augusta Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Coatsburg Apr 14 · Oct 23
- Huntsville Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Loraine Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Paloma Apr 14 · Oct 23
- Timewell Apr 18 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Golden, IL?
The median last spring frost in Golden, IL is April 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Golden, 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 Golden, IL?
About 186 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Golden, IL?
Golden, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.