Frost dates for 60435 — Joliet, IL
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Joliet compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Joliet falls between April 3 and May 7, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 6.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 189-day growing season is longer than 54% 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 126 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Aurora, IL, 28 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 3 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 6 |
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 Joliet, IL
Frost dates for 60435 — Joliet, IL — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 25, 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 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
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 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
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 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Joliet, 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 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| 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 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| 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 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Joliet Brandon Rd Dam, IL weather station, 5 km away (elevation 545 ft (166 m)).
ZIP codes in Joliet: 60431 60432 60433 60434 60435 60436
Frost dates near Joliet
- Crest Hill Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Shorewood Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Lockport Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Plainfield Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Romeoville Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Elwood Apr 19 · Oct 25
- Channahon Apr 16 · Oct 26
- New Lenox Apr 19 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Joliet, IL?
The median last spring frost in Joliet, IL is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Joliet, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Joliet, IL?
About 189 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Joliet, IL?
Joliet, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.