Frost dates for 60408Braidwood, IL
The average last spring frost in Braidwood is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 26, giving a typical growing season of about 191 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 26
- Growing season
- 191 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (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 30 · May 14 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 16 · May 3 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 191 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 19 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 23 | 214 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Braidwood
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 6 |
| 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 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 6 |
| 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 26 – Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 16 – Nov 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60408 is matched to the NOAA station Channahon Dresden Isl Dam, IL, 15.5 km away, at 505 ft elevation (66 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channahon Dresden Isl Dam, IL (used) | 505 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
| Morris 1 Nw, IL | 524 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 23 |
| Dwight, IL | 628 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
| Joliet Brandon Rd Dam, IL | 543 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Braidwood
- Braceville, IL 60407 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Coal City, IL 60416 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Wilmington, IL 60481 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- South Wilmington, IL 60474 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Essex, IL 60935 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Gardner, IL 60424 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Mazon, IL 60444 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Bonfield, IL 60913 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Braidwood, IL?
- For ZIP code 60408, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Channahon Dresden Isl Dam, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Braidwood, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 60408?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 191 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.