Lake Fork, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 20median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Lake Fork compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lake Fork falls between April 5 and May 4, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 179-day growing season is longer than 26% 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 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 126 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Springfield, IL, 32 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Lake Fork, IL
Lake Fork, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 16, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Transplant outside: May 4 to May 25
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lake Fork, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 23 – Apr 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Basil | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 27 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 27 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 27 – May 18 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 4 – May 25 | — | — |
| 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 Lincoln, IL weather station, 20 km away (elevation 584 ft (178 m)).
Frost dates near Lake Fork
- Cornland Apr 20 · Oct 16
- Mount Pulaski Apr 20 · Oct 16
- Elkhart Apr 20 · Oct 16
- Buffalo Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Latham Apr 20 · Oct 16
- Dawson Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Illiopolis Apr 14 · Oct 24
- Chestnut Apr 20 · Oct 16
- Williamsville Apr 14 · Oct 20
- Riverton Apr 14 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lake Fork, IL?
The median last spring frost in Lake Fork, IL is April 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lake Fork, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Lake Fork, IL?
About 179 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lake Fork, IL?
Lake Fork, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.