Frost dates for 60404Shorewood, IL
The average last spring frost in Shorewood is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 188 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 188 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 16 · May 1 · May 18 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 166 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 19 · May 7 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 188 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 22 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 21 | 211 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shorewood
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60404 is matched to the NOAA station Joliet Brandon Rd Dam, IL, 9.5 km away, at 543 ft elevation (54 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joliet Brandon Rd Dam, IL (used) | 543 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 25 |
| Channahon Dresden Isl Dam, IL | 505 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
| Romeoville Wfo, IL | 660 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 22 |
| Morris 1 Nw, IL | 524 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
Frost dates near Shorewood
- Joliet, IL 60436 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Plainfield, IL 60586 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Minooka, IL 60447 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Channahon, IL 60410 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Crest Hill, IL 60403 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Elwood, IL 60421 · last Apr 19, first Oct 25
- Lockport, IL 60441 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Romeoville, IL 60446 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shorewood, IL?
- For ZIP code 60404, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Joliet Brandon Rd Dam, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Shorewood, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 60404?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 188 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.