Wheaton, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season171 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Wheaton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wheaton falls between April 14 and May 14, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 171-day growing season is longer than 8% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 144 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Wheaton shares its weather station with Naperville, IL, 10 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 Wheaton, IL
Wheaton, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 16, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wheaton, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 Lisle-Morton Arboretum, IL weather station, 5 km away (elevation 679 ft (207 m)).
ZIP codes in Wheaton: 60187 60189
Frost dates near Wheaton
- Fox Valley Apr 28 · Oct 16
- Carol Stream Apr 28 · Oct 16
- Glen Ellyn Apr 28 · Oct 16
- Bloomingdale Apr 28 · Oct 16
- Winfield Apr 25 · Oct 19
- Lombard Apr 28 · Oct 16
- Glendale Heights Apr 28 · Oct 16
- Lisle Apr 28 · Oct 16
- Warrenville Apr 28 · Oct 16
- Hinsdale Apr 28 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wheaton, IL?
The median last spring frost in Wheaton, IL is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Wheaton, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Wheaton, IL?
About 171 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wheaton, IL?
Wheaton, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.