Minonk, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Minonk compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Minonk falls between April 11 and May 10, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 14% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 135 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Normal, IL, 43 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is the same length.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 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 Minonk, IL
Minonk, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 17, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Minonk, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| 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 Minonk, IL weather station, 2 km away (elevation 751 ft (229 m)).
Frost dates near Minonk
- Dana Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Rutland Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Benson Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Toluca Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Flanagan Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Long Point Apr 12 · Oct 28
- Wenona Apr 26 · Oct 17
- El Paso Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Roanoke Apr 26 · Oct 17
- La Rose Apr 20 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Minonk, IL?
The median last spring frost in Minonk, IL is April 26. 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 Minonk, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Minonk, IL?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Minonk, IL?
Minonk, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.