Frost dates for 60005 — Arlington Heights, IL
Last spring frostApr 16median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season195 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 3 and May 1, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 195-day growing season is longer than 76% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 13 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 121 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Elgin, IL, 27 km away, the last frost here is 10 days earlier than there and the growing season is 20 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 3 |
| 50% (median) | April 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 60005 — Arlington Heights, IL — last frost Apr 16, first frost Oct 28, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 21
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
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 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 19 – Apr 23 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Basil | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 Ohare Intl Ap, IL weather station, 9 km away (elevation 659 ft (201 m)).
ZIP codes in Arlington Heights: 60004 60005 60006
Frost dates near Arlington Heights
- Rolling Meadows Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Mount Prospect Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Prospect Heights Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Palatine Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Elk Grove Village Apr 16 · Oct 28
- Schaumburg Apr 30 · Oct 13
- Wheeling Apr 19 · Oct 26
- Des Plaines Apr 16 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Arlington Heights, IL?
The median last spring frost in Arlington Heights, IL is April 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 1, 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 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Arlington Heights, IL?
About 195 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.