Frost dates for 60188Carol Stream, IL
The average last spring frost in Carol Stream is April 25 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 25
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 23 · May 6 · May 24 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 12 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Oct 30 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 12 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Carol Stream
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 60188 is matched to the NOAA station West Chicago Dupage Ap, IL, 9.1 km away, at 754 ft elevation (1 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Chicago Dupage Ap, IL (used) | 754 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
| Streamwood, IL | 819 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 13 |
| Lisle-Morton Arboretum, IL | 680 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 16 |
| Wheaton 3 Se, IL | 680 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Carol Stream
- Carol Stream, IL 60116 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Glendale Heights, IL 60139 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Winfield, IL 60190 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Wheaton, IL 60187 · last Apr 27, first Oct 17
- Bloomingdale, IL 60108 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- West Chicago, IL 60185 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Glen Ellyn, IL 60138 · last Apr 27, first Oct 17
- Roselle, IL 60172 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Carol Stream, IL?
- For ZIP code 60188, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the West Chicago Dupage Ap, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Carol Stream, 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 60188?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.