Lee Center, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 12median date
Growing season168 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Lee Center compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lee Center falls between April 12 and May 14, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 27 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 168-day growing season is longer than 5% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 149 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rockford, IL, 62 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 27 |
| 50% (median) | October 12 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 Lee Center, IL
Lee Center, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 12, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Nov 2
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lee Center, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 17 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| 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 Compton 1 Nw, IL weather station, 16 km away (elevation 906 ft (276 m)).
Frost dates near Lee Center
- Amboy Apr 21 · Oct 19
- West Brooklyn Apr 27 · Oct 12
- Eldena Apr 21 · Oct 19
- Franklin Grove Apr 21 · Oct 19
- Nachusa Apr 21 · Oct 19
- Sublette Apr 27 · Oct 12
- Ashton Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Compton Apr 27 · Oct 12
- Dixon Apr 21 · Oct 19
- Van Orin Apr 24 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lee Center, IL?
The median last spring frost in Lee Center, IL is April 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lee Center, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 27.
How long is the growing season in Lee Center, IL?
About 168 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lee Center, IL?
Lee Center, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.