Rochelle, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season170 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Rochelle compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rochelle falls between April 11 and May 12, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 170-day growing season is longer than 6% 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 145 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rockford, IL, 40 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 Rochelle, IL
Rochelle, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 13, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
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 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
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 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rochelle, 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 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| 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 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| 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 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Rochelle, IL weather station, 2 km away (elevation 774 ft (236 m)).
Frost dates near Rochelle
- Creston Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Steward Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Ashton Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Chana Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Lindenwood Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Esmond Apr 26 · Oct 13
- Holcomb Apr 24 · Oct 17
- Malta Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Lee Apr 28 · Oct 10
- Davis Junction Apr 24 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rochelle, IL?
The median last spring frost in Rochelle, IL is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rochelle, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Rochelle, IL?
About 170 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rochelle, IL?
Rochelle, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.