Ransom, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 12median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season199 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Ransom compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ransom falls between March 30 and April 25, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 16 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 199-day growing season is longer than 82% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 19 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 118 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Joliet, IL, 63 km away, the last frost here is 7 days earlier than there and the growing season is 10 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 Ransom, IL
Ransom, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 12, first frost Oct 28, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 17
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ransom, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Basil | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 19 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 Streator 3 Se, IL weather station, 16 km away (elevation 610 ft (186 m)).
Frost dates near Ransom
- Kinsman Apr 27 · Oct 15
- Blackstone Apr 12 · Oct 28
- Verona Apr 20 · Oct 23
- Streator Apr 12 · Oct 28
- Cornell Apr 12 · Oct 28
- Grand Ridge Apr 27 · Oct 17
- Odell Apr 27 · Oct 15
- Seneca Apr 27 · Oct 17
- Marseilles Apr 27 · Oct 17
- Mazon Apr 27 · Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ransom, IL?
The median last spring frost in Ransom, IL is April 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ransom, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Ransom, IL?
About 199 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ransom, IL?
Ransom, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.