Mount Sterling, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season180 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Mount Sterling compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mount Sterling falls between April 4 and May 5, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 30 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 180-day growing season is longer than 29% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 11 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 126 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Springfield, IL, 98 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 30 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 Mount Sterling, IL
Mount Sterling, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 15, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mount Sterling, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 21 – Apr 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Okra | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Perry 6 Nw, IL weather station, 21 km away (elevation 650 ft (198 m)).
Frost dates near Mount Sterling
- Timewell Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Versailles Apr 18 · Oct 15
- Clayton Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Camden Apr 16 · Oct 23
- Chambersburg Apr 18 · Oct 15
- Huntsville Apr 18 · Oct 21
- Perry Apr 18 · Oct 15
- Rushville Apr 16 · Oct 23
- Meredosia Apr 18 · Oct 20
- Baylis Apr 18 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mount Sterling, IL?
The median last spring frost in Mount Sterling, IL is April 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mount Sterling, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 30.
How long is the growing season in Mount Sterling, IL?
About 180 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mount Sterling, IL?
Mount Sterling, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.