Frost dates for 60004 — Arlington Heights, IL
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season190 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Arlington Heights compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Arlington Heights falls between April 4 and May 3, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 13 and November 9.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 190-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 122 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Elgin, IL, 28 km away, the last frost here is 7 days earlier than there and the growing season is 15 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 13 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 9 |
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 Arlington Heights, IL
Frost dates for 60004 — Arlington Heights, IL — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 26, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Arlington Heights, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
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 Chicago Palwaukee Ap, IL weather station, 6 km away (elevation 636 ft (194 m)).
ZIP codes in Arlington Heights: 60004 60005 60006
Frost dates near Arlington Heights
- Prospect Heights Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Palatine Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Wheeling Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Rolling Meadows Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Buffalo Grove Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Mount Prospect Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Lincolnshire Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Northbrook Apr 26 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Arlington Heights, IL?
The median last spring frost in Arlington Heights, IL is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Arlington Heights, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 13.
How long is the growing season in Arlington Heights, IL?
About 190 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Arlington Heights, IL?
Arlington Heights, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.