Lee, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season165 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Lee compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lee falls between April 14 and May 13, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 23.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 165-day growing season is among the shortest of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 144 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rockford, IL, 56 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 23 |
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, IL
Lee, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 10, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lee, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
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 Shabbona 5 Nne, IL weather station, 12 km away (elevation 860 ft (262 m)).
Frost dates near Lee
- Steward Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Shabbona Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Paw Paw Apr 27 · Oct 15
- Compton Apr 27 · Oct 12
- Creston Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Waterman Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Malta Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Rochelle Apr 26 · Oct 13
- West Brooklyn Apr 27 · Oct 12
- Ashton Apr 26 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lee, IL?
The median last spring frost in Lee, IL is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lee, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Lee, IL?
About 165 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lee, IL?
Lee, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.