Crete, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season180 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Crete compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Crete falls between April 9 and May 11, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 180-day growing season is longer than 29% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 126 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Crete shares its weather station with Hammond, IN, 19 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Crete, IL
Crete, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 20, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Crete, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Park Forest, IL weather station, 9 km away (elevation 709 ft (216 m)).
Frost dates near Crete
- Steger Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Chicago Heights Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Park Forest Apr 23 · Oct 20
- University Park Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Olympia Fields Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Beecher Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Richton Park Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Glenwood Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Flossmoor Apr 23 · Oct 20
- Homewood Apr 23 · Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Crete, IL?
The median last spring frost in Crete, IL is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 11, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Crete, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Crete, IL?
About 180 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Crete, IL?
Crete, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.