Mt Vernon 3 NE, IL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Mt Vernon 3 NE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 11
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 22
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
194 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 30 Apr 11 Apr 26
First fall frost Nov 1 Oct 22 Oct 9
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 1 · first Nov 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MT VERNON 3 NE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Mt Vernon 3 NE

Computed from Mt Vernon 3 NE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 14 – Feb 28 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🫑 Peppers Jan 31 – Feb 14 Apr 25 – May 2
🥬 Lettuce Feb 28 – Mar 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28 Mar 14 – Apr 11
🫛 Peas Feb 28 – Mar 14
🥕 Carrots Mar 21 – Apr 11
🥦 Broccoli Feb 21 – Mar 7 Mar 21 – Apr 4
🥬 Kale Feb 28 – Mar 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28 Mar 14 – Mar 28
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 14 – Mar 21 Apr 18 – Apr 25 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🥒 Zucchini Mar 14 – Mar 21 Apr 18 – Apr 25 Apr 18 – Apr 25
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 18 – Apr 25
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 18 – Apr 25
🌿 Basil Feb 28 – Mar 14 Apr 18 – Apr 25 Apr 25 – May 2
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 10 – Oct 8

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Mt Vernon 3 NE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Mt Vernon 3 NE

Roughly 194 frost-free days gives Mt Vernon 3 NE gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 11; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 22 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Mt Vernon 3 NE, IL?

The average last spring frost in Mt Vernon 3 NE is around Apr 11, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Mt Vernon 3 NE, IL?

The average first fall frost in Mt Vernon 3 NE arrives around Oct 22. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Mt Vernon 3 NE?

About 194 frost-free days on average, from Apr 11 to Oct 22. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Mt Vernon 3 NE in?

USDA zone 7a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.