Frost dates for 60556Waterman, IL
The average last spring frost in Waterman is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 8 · May 23 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 17 · May 4 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waterman
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60556 is matched to the NOAA station Shabbona 5 Nne, IL, 12.1 km away, at 861 ft elevation (54 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shabbona 5 Nne, IL (used) | 861 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 10 |
| Paw Paw 2S, IL | 889 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 15 |
| De Kalb, IL | 873 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Chicago Aurora Muni Ap, IL | 710 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Waterman
- Shabbona, IL 60550 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
- Hinckley, IL 60520 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Somonauk, IL 60552 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Leland, IL 60531 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
- Lee, IL 60530 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
- Dekalb, IL 60115 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Sandwich, IL 60548 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Paw Paw, IL 61353 · last Apr 27, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waterman, IL?
- For ZIP code 60556, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Shabbona 5 Nne, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Waterman, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 60556?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.