Watseka, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season175 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Watseka compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Watseka falls between April 10 and May 10, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 175-day growing season is longer than 16% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 133 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lafayette, IN, 85 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is the same length.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 10 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 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 Watseka, IL
Watseka, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 16, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Watseka, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 Watseka 2 Nw, IL weather station, 3 km away (elevation 620 ft (189 m)).
Frost dates near Watseka
- Woodland Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Crescent City Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Sheldon Apr 23 · Oct 14
- Iroquois Apr 23 · Oct 14
- Martinton Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Milford Apr 22 · Oct 19
- Donovan Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Stockland Apr 25 · Oct 13
- Ashkum Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Papineau Apr 24 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Watseka, IL?
The median last spring frost in Watseka, IL is April 24. 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 Watseka, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Watseka, IL?
About 175 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Watseka, IL?
Watseka, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.