Marseilles, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season173 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Marseilles compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Marseilles falls between April 12 and May 13, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 10 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 173-day growing season is longer than 12% 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 139 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Joliet, IL, 56 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 16 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 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 Marseilles, IL
Marseilles, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 17, 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 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
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 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
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 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Marseilles, 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 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| 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 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| 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 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Marseilles Lock, IL weather station, 5 km away (elevation 489 ft (149 m)).
Frost dates near Marseilles
- Seneca Apr 27 · Oct 17
- Ottawa Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Wedron Apr 27 · Oct 17
- Grand Ridge Apr 27 · Oct 17
- Verona Apr 20 · Oct 23
- Serena Apr 27 · Oct 17
- Ransom Apr 12 · Oct 28
- Sheridan Apr 27 · Oct 17
- Kinsman Apr 27 · Oct 15
- Morris Apr 20 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Marseilles, IL?
The median last spring frost in Marseilles, IL is April 27. 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 Marseilles, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Marseilles, IL?
About 173 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Marseilles, IL?
Marseilles, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.