Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Joliet, Illinois

Typical last spring frost April 19 (1 spring in 10 later than May 7). Typical first fall frost October 25 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 12). Growing season about 188 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 3 and fades out by May 7. It is unlikely from then until October 12, and likely again after November 6. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 19 and October 25.

January

Nothing to start this month.

February

  • February 1 to March 1: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • February 15 to March 15: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 1 to 22: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • March 8 to 22: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 15 to 29: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 22 to April 5: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 22 to April 5: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

April

  • April 5 to 19: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 5 to 19: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 19: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 3: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • May 3: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)
  • May 30 to June 13: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

June

  • June 19 to July 3: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 29: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)

August

  • August 2: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 3: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 7: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 8: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 12: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 22: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 1: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • September 11: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 12: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 11 to 18: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Joliet Brandon Road Dam (station USC00114530), 2 miles from the center of Joliet. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/illinois/joliet/

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