When to plant in Dixon, IL
USDA Zone 5bDixon, Illinois frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 5b means Dixon sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Dixon is now 8 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
DIXON 1W · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Dixon’s own odds, recorded at DIXON 1W.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 16 | May 2 | Apr 18 | Sep 24 | Oct 9 | Oct 22 |
| 32°F | May 5 | Apr 21 | Apr 7 | Oct 4 | Oct 19 | Oct 30 |
| 28°F | Apr 26 | Apr 10 | Mar 27 | Oct 17 | Oct 30 | Nov 12 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Dixon, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 33 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Dixon planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Dixon, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Dixon around April 21 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Dixon, IL?
The first fall frost in Dixon typically arrives around October 19 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Dixon in?
Dixon is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Dixon?
There are roughly 181 frost-free days in Dixon (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 21 to the first fall frost near October 19.
When should I plant tomatoes in Dixon?
In Dixon, start tomato seeds indoors around February 24–March 10, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 28 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Dixon
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Dixon’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at DIXON 1W, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Dixon, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00112348. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/dixon.