Frost dates for 60163Berkeley, IL
The average last spring frost in Berkeley 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 169 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 Berkeley
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 60163 is matched to the NOAA station Chicago Ohare Intl Ap, IL, 12 km away, at 658 ft elevation (2 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 |
| Wheaton 3 Se, IL | 680 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 17 |
| Lisle-Morton Arboretum, IL | 680 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
| Chicago Midway Ap, IL | 612 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Berkeley
- Hillside, IL 60162 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Bellwood, IL 60104 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Elmhurst, IL 60126 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Stone Park, IL 60165 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Melrose Park, IL 60164 · last Apr 16, first Oct 28
- Westchester, IL 60154 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Maywood, IL 60153 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Broadview, IL 60155 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Berkeley, IL?
- For ZIP code 60163, 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 Berkeley, 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 60163?
- 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.