Frost dates for 60013Cary, IL
The average last spring frost in Cary is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 177 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 177 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 22 · May 6 · May 25 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 25 · May 12 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 177 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 15 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 200 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cary
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – May 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 11 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Jun 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – Jun 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60013 is matched to the NOAA station Barrington 3Sw, IL, 13.3 km away, at 875 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrington 3Sw, IL (used) | 875 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
| Mc Henry -Wg Stratton L&D, IL | 736 ft | May 1 | Oct 11 |
| Crystal Lake 4Nw, IL | 940 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 22 |
| Mundelein 4 Wsw, IL | 840 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Cary
- Fox River Grove, IL 60021 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Island Lake, IL 60042 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Crystal Lake, IL 60014 · last May 1, first Oct 11
- Algonquin, IL 60102 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Lake In The Hills, IL 60156 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Wauconda, IL 60084 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Barrington, IL 60010 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Carpentersville, IL 60110 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cary, IL?
- For ZIP code 60013, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Barrington 3Sw, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Cary, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 60013?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 177 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.