Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 62555 (Owaneco, IL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Pana, IL (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)188 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
56°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Champaign 9 SW (60 mi).
4-inch depth
58°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 57°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Champaign 9 SW (60 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 62555 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 58°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 23: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 4 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 3 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 8 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 23 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 3 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 28 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 17 | Oct 23 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 5 | Nov 1 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 62555
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 17) and first fall frost (Oct 23). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 17 (transplant) Mar 20–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 18 (transplant) Aug 14–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) Jul 17–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 17 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 28 (transplant) Jul 17–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 6–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 6–20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Jul 17–Aug 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 3–24 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 25 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 6–20 | Apr 3–24 (transplant) Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 13–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 11–25 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 31–Aug 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 11–Oct 9 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 3–17 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 20–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 20–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 20–27 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 20–27 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 20–27 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) May 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 6–20 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 6–20 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 28–Sep 11 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Aug 14–Sep 11 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Pana, IL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00116579), elevation 650 ft, 9.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morrisonville, IL | 14 mi | Apr 12 | Oct 20 |
| Ramsey, IL | 22 mi | Apr 15 | Oct 19 |
| Shelbyville Dam, IL | 24 mi | Apr 10 | Oct 24 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 7 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 62555
When is the last frost in 62555?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 62555 is April 17. For a more cautious planting date, use May 3, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 62555?
The average first fall freeze is October 23. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 8.
What hardiness zone is 62555?
ZIP 62555 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 62555 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
62557 Pana 62083 62568 Taylorville 62076 Ohlman 62556 Palmer 62510 Assumption 62075 Wenonah 62567 Stonington
Other ZIP codes in Christian County
62083 62510 62513 62517 62531 62540 62546 62547 62556 62557 62567 62568 62570 All Christian County frost dates · Illinois frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.