Frost Dates for Tinley Park, IL

In Tinley Park, IL, the average last spring frost is around Apr 23 and the average first fall frost around Oct 20, for a growing season of about 179 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 11, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 2350% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 11only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 2050% chance of frost before this date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Park Forest, IL weather station, 8 miles away, elevation 710 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 11Oct 6
20%May 5Oct 12
30%Apr 30Oct 15
40%Apr 27Oct 18
50%Apr 23Oct 20
60%Apr 20Oct 23
70%Apr 18Oct 25
80%Apr 14Oct 28
90%Apr 9Nov 1

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 5Oct 10
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 23Oct 20
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 12Oct 30

Planting calendar for Tinley Park

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers
Indoors Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant May 7 – May 21
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 12 – Feb 26
Transplant May 7 – May 21
Basil
Indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26
Transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 26 – Apr 2
Sow or transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 26 – Apr 2
Sow or transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 30 – May 14
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 26 – Apr 2
Sow or transplant May 7 – May 21
Green beans
Sow Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 30 – May 14
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26
Sow or transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall sowing Aug 25 – Sep 22
Spinach
Sow Mar 12 – Apr 2
Fall sowing Aug 25 – Sep 15
Peas
Sow Mar 12 – Mar 26
Fall sowing Aug 11 – Aug 25
Kale
Indoors Feb 26 – Mar 12
Sow or transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall sowing Aug 11 – Sep 8
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Apr 9 – Apr 23
Fall sowing Jul 28 – Aug 11
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 26 – Mar 12
Transplant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Fall sowing Jul 28 – Aug 11
Carrots
Sow Apr 2 – Apr 23
Fall sowing Jul 28 – Aug 11
Radishes
Sow Mar 19 – Apr 9
Fall sowing Sep 8 – Sep 29
Beets
Sow Apr 2 – Apr 23
Fall sowing Aug 11 – Aug 25
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 29 – Feb 12
Plant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Potatoes
Plant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Garlic
Plant Oct 20 – Nov 17

Based on the average last frost (Apr 23) and first frost (Oct 20). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

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