When to plant in Loves Park, IL
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Loves Park, Illinois — all computed from Loves Park's nearest NOAA weather station.
These dates come from a station roughly 18 km away, the closest with full normals; terrain around Loves Park (elevation, water, pavement) can move your real frost dates a few days either way. Zone 5b means Loves Park 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 Loves Park is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP · 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 Loves Park’s own odds, recorded at ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 19 | May 4 | Apr 21 | Sep 23 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F | May 8 | Apr 24 | Apr 10 | Oct 2 | Oct 17 | Oct 30 |
| 28°F | Apr 27 | Apr 13 | Mar 31 | Oct 14 | Oct 28 | Nov 10 |
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 Loves Park, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 26 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.
Loves Park planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Loves Park, IL?
On average, the last spring frost in Loves Park is around April 24 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Loves Park, IL?
In Loves Park, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 17 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Loves Park in?
Loves Park 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 Loves Park?
There are roughly 176 frost-free days in Loves Park (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 24 to the first fall frost near October 17.
When should I plant tomatoes in Loves Park?
In Loves Park, start tomato seeds indoors around February 27–March 13, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 1 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Loves Park
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Loves Park’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Machesney Park · 4 km
- Roscoe · 10 km
- Rockford · 10 km
- Belvidere · 12 km
- Beloit · 21 km
- Janesville · 39 km
- Sycamore · 46 km
- Woodstock · 46 km
Frost dates recorded at ROCKFORD GTR ROCKFORD AP, 18 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 Loves Park, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094822. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/loves-park.