Morris 1 NW, IL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Morris 1 NW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 20
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
186 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 6 Apr 20 May 6
First fall frost Nov 3 Oct 23 Oct 9
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 8 · first Nov 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MORRIS 1 NW 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 Morris 1 NW

Computed from Morris 1 NW's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 23 – Mar 9 Apr 27 – May 4
🫑 Peppers Feb 9 – Feb 23 May 4 – May 11
🥬 Lettuce Mar 9 – Mar 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6 Mar 23 – Apr 20
🫛 Peas Mar 9 – Mar 23
🥕 Carrots Mar 30 – Apr 20
🥦 Broccoli Mar 2 – Mar 16 Mar 30 – Apr 13
🥬 Kale Mar 9 – Mar 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6 Mar 23 – Apr 6
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 23 – Mar 30 Apr 27 – May 4 Apr 27 – May 4
🥒 Zucchini Mar 23 – Mar 30 Apr 27 – May 4 Apr 27 – May 4
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 27 – May 4
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 27 – May 4
🌿 Basil Mar 9 – Mar 23 Apr 27 – May 4 May 4 – May 11
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 11 – Oct 9

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 Morris 1 NW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Morris 1 NW

Roughly 186 frost-free days gives Morris 1 NW gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 20; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 23 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Morris 1 NW, IL?

The average last spring frost in Morris 1 NW is around Apr 20, 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 Morris 1 NW, IL?

The average first fall frost in Morris 1 NW arrives around Oct 23. 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 Morris 1 NW?

About 186 frost-free days on average, from Apr 20 to Oct 23. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Morris 1 NW in?

USDA zone 6a 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.