Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Naperville, Illinois

Typical last spring frost April 25 (1 spring in 10 later than May 12). Typical first fall frost October 19 (1 fall in 10 earlier than October 5). Growing season about 174 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 11 and fades out by May 12. It is unlikely from then until October 5, and likely again after October 30. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 25 and October 19.

January

Nothing to start this month.

February

  • February 7 to March 7: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • February 21 to March 21: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 7 to 28: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • March 14 to 28: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 21 to April 4: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 28 to April 11: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 28 to April 11: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

April

  • April 11 to 25: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 11 to 25: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 25: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 9: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • May 9: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)
  • May 24 to June 7: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

June

  • June 13 to 27: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 23: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 27: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 28: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)

August

  • August 1: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 2: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 6: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 16: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 26: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 5: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

October

  • October 5: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

November

  • November 5 to 12: Garlic (plant cloves)

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for West Chicago Dupage Airport (station USW00094892), 10 miles from the center of Naperville. 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/naperville/

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