Freeport, IL planting zone & frost dates
Freeport is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 26 and the first fall frost around October 13, for a growing season of about 169 days.
Planting calendar for Freeport
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 26) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 1 – Mar 15 Transplant outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: May 10 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 15 – Mar 1 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 15 – Mar 29 Transplant outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 18 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 13).
Useful for zone 5a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 11 | Apr 26 | May 11 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 26 | Oct 13 | Sep 30 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 11, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 30. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 14.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Freeport
- 61032 zone 5a
Nearby cities
- Dixon zone 5b, last frost Apr 21
- Sterling zone 5b, last frost Apr 21
- Rockford zone 5b, last frost Apr 24
- Loves Park zone 5b, last frost Apr 24
- Machesney Park zone 5b, last frost May 1
- Roscoe zone 5b, last frost May 1
- Belvidere zone 5b, last frost Apr 28
- DeKalb zone 5b, last frost Apr 24
Questions
What growing zone is Freeport, IL?
Freeport is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a (average extreme winter low -20°F to -15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Freeport?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Freeport is April 26. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 11.
When can I plant tomatoes in Freeport?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 3 – May 10. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Freeport Waste Wtp, IL (USC00113262), 1.4 km (0.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 229 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.