Malta, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season177 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Malta compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Malta falls between April 9 and May 10, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 177-day growing season is longer than 21% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 141 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rockford, IL, 45 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 Malta, IL
Malta, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 18, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Malta, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 De Kalb, IL weather station, 8 km away (elevation 873 ft (266 m)).
Frost dates near Malta
- Creston Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Dekalb Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Clare Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Esmond Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Steward Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Cortland Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Sycamore Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Rochelle Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Lee Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Shabbona Apr 28 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Malta, IL?
The median last spring frost in Malta, IL is April 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Malta, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Malta, IL?
About 177 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Malta, IL?
Malta, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.