Tower Hill, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 17median date
First fall frostOct 23median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Tower Hill compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Tower Hill falls between April 4 and May 3, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 8 and November 3.
- The median last frost is the same as the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 189-day growing season is longer than 54% 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 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 114 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Decatur, IL, 51 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 8 |
| 50% (median) | October 23 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 Tower Hill, IL
Tower Hill, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 17, first frost Oct 23, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Transplant outside: May 1 to May 22
Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 13
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Tower Hill, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 24 | Aug 28 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 17 – Aug 7 |
| Okra | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Basil | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 24 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 1 – May 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 9 – Nov 13 |
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 Pana, IL weather station, 11 km away (elevation 650 ft (198 m)).
Frost dates near Tower Hill
- Lakewood Apr 10 · Oct 24
- Pana Apr 17 · Oct 23
- Assumption Apr 17 · Oct 23
- Shelbyville Apr 10 · Oct 24
- Oconee Apr 17 · Oct 23
- Herrick Apr 15 · Oct 19
- Cowden Apr 15 · Oct 19
- Rosamond Apr 17 · Oct 23
- Owaneco Apr 17 · Oct 23
- Ohlman Apr 17 · Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tower Hill, IL?
The median last spring frost in Tower Hill, IL is April 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Tower Hill, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 8.
How long is the growing season in Tower Hill, IL?
About 189 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Tower Hill, IL?
Tower Hill, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.