Frost dates for Rockford, Illinois
In a typical year, Rockford’s last spring frost lands around Apr 24 and the first fall frost around Oct 17, a growing season of about 176 days. These are odds drawn from 30-year NOAA climate normals, not a promise. USDA zone 5b.
| Odds | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10 percent | Apr 10 | Oct 2 |
| 50 percent | Apr 24 | Oct 17 |
| 90 percent | May 8 | Oct 30 |
A 10 percent year is an early year, a 90 percent year a late one. Frost-sensitive planting usually waits for the 90 percent side of the last-frost band.
Soil in Rockford is typically around 72°F at 4 inches this time of year, estimated from the last two weeks of normal air temperatures.
Plantable now in Rockford
- Chinese cabbage (Bilko)
- Radish (Cherry Belle)
- Lettuce (Buttercrunch)
- Mustard greens (Red Giant)
- Arugula (Astro)
- Tatsoi (Tatsoi)
- Dill (Bouquet)
- Cilantro (Santo)
Timing comes from the same temperature engine the app uses, run against Rockford’s normals for today.
Nearby cities
- Aurora, IL (around Apr 19 to Oct 23)
- Madison, WI (around May 1 to Oct 9)
- Naperville, IL (around Apr 28 to Oct 16)
- Kenosha, WI (around Apr 19 to Oct 26)
- Joliet, IL (around Apr 19 to Oct 25)
Row & Bed is a plant reference built around your garden: your zone, your frost dates, your forecast, and a cited page for every variety in your beds.
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