Frost dates for 60044Lake Bluff, IL
The average last spring frost in Lake Bluff is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 28 · May 12 · May 27 | Sep 25 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Oct 5 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 15 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lake Bluff
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60044 is matched to the NOAA station Chicago Waukegan Rgnl Ap, IL, 15 km away, at 727 ft elevation (18 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Waukegan Rgnl Ap, IL (used) | 727 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 21 |
| Waukegan, IL | 700 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 19 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden, IL | 630 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 21 |
| Chicago Palwaukee Ap, IL | 636 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Lake Bluff
- Great Lakes, IL 60088 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- North Chicago, IL 60064 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Lake Forest, IL 60045 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Libertyville, IL 60048 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
- Waukegan, IL 60085 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Fort Sheridan, IL 60037 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Highwood, IL 60040 · last Apr 26, first Oct 21
- Lincolnshire, IL 60069 · last Apr 19, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake Bluff, IL?
- For ZIP code 60044, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chicago Waukegan Rgnl Ap, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Lake Bluff, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. 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 60044?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.