Frost Dates for Glendale Heights, IL

In Glendale Heights, IL, the average last spring frost is around Apr 28 and the average first fall frost around Oct 16, for a growing season of about 169 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 14, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 2850% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 14only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 1650% chance of frost before this date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Lisle-Morton Arboretum, IL weather station, 7 miles away, elevation 680 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%May 14Oct 1
20%May 9Oct 7
30%May 4Oct 11
40%Apr 30Oct 13
50%Apr 28Oct 16
60%Apr 25Oct 18
70%Apr 22Oct 21
80%Apr 18Oct 24
90%Apr 14Oct 29

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)May 9Oct 6
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 28Oct 16
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 16Oct 26

Planting calendar for Glendale Heights

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17
Transplant May 5 – May 19
Peppers
Indoors Feb 17 – Mar 3
Transplant May 12 – May 26
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 17 – Mar 3
Transplant May 12 – May 26
Basil
Indoors Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 31 – Apr 7
Sow or transplant May 5 – May 19
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 31 – Apr 7
Sow or transplant May 5 – May 19
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow May 5 – May 19
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 31 – Apr 7
Sow or transplant May 12 – May 26
Green beans
Sow May 5 – May 19
Sweet corn
Sow May 5 – May 19
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 17 – Mar 31
Sow or transplant Mar 31 – Apr 14
Fall sowing Aug 21 – Sep 18
Spinach
Sow Mar 17 – Apr 7
Fall sowing Aug 21 – Sep 11
Peas
Sow Mar 17 – Mar 31
Fall sowing Aug 7 – Aug 21
Kale
Indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17
Sow or transplant Mar 31 – Apr 14
Fall sowing Aug 7 – Sep 4
Broccoli
Indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17
Transplant Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall sowing Jul 24 – Aug 7
Cabbage
Indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17
Transplant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall sowing Jul 24 – Aug 7
Carrots
Sow Apr 7 – Apr 28
Fall sowing Jul 24 – Aug 7
Radishes
Sow Mar 24 – Apr 14
Fall sowing Sep 4 – Sep 25
Beets
Sow Apr 7 – Apr 28
Fall sowing Aug 7 – Aug 21
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17
Plant Mar 31 – Apr 14
Potatoes
Plant Apr 7 – Apr 21
Garlic
Plant Oct 16 – Nov 13

Based on the average last frost (Apr 28) and first frost (Oct 16). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

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