Frost dates for 60017Des Plaines, IL
The average last spring frost in Des Plaines is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 193 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 193 days
Safer after May 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 167 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 15 · Apr 29 · May 13 | Oct 3 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 170 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 193 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 5 · Apr 19 | Oct 27 · Nov 7 · Nov 22 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Des Plaines
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60017 is matched to the NOAA station Chicago Ohare Intl Ap, IL, 5 km away, at 658 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Ohare Intl Ap, IL (used) | 658 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
| Chicago Palwaukee Ap, IL | 636 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden, IL | 630 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 21 |
| Streamwood, IL | 819 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Des Plaines
- Des Plaines, IL 60019 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Park Ridge, IL 60068 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Mount Prospect, IL 60056 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Chicago, IL 60656 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Elk Grove Village, IL 60009 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Niles, IL 60714 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Glenview, IL 60025 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Schiller Park, IL 60176 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Des Plaines, IL?
- For ZIP code 60017, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chicago Ohare Intl Ap, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 1.
- When is the first frost in Des Plaines, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 60017?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 193 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.