Frost dates for 60085Waukegan, IL
The average last spring frost in Waukegan 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 Waukegan
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 60085 is matched to the NOAA station Chicago Waukegan Rgnl Ap, IL, 7 km away, at 727 ft elevation (22 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 |
| Lake Villa 2Ne, IL | 840 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 23 |
| Mundelein 4 Wsw, IL | 840 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Waukegan
- Waukegan, IL 60079 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- North Chicago, IL 60064 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Great Lakes, IL 60088 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Gurnee, IL 60031 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Lake Bluff, IL 60044 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Zion, IL 60099 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Wadsworth, IL 60083 · last Apr 30, first Oct 21
- Libertyville, IL 60048 · last Apr 29, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waukegan, IL?
- For ZIP code 60085, 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 Waukegan, 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 60085?
- 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.