Flora 5 NW, IL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Flora 5 NW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 10
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 23
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
196 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 26 Apr 10 Apr 26
First fall frost Nov 5 Oct 23 Oct 7
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 31 · first Nov 2

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FLORA 5 NW station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Flora 5 NW

Computed from Flora 5 NW's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 17 – Apr 24
🫑 Peppers Jan 30 – Feb 13 Apr 24 – May 1
🥬 Lettuce Feb 27 – Mar 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 13 – Apr 10
🫛 Peas Feb 27 – Mar 13
🥕 Carrots Mar 20 – Apr 10
🥦 Broccoli Feb 20 – Mar 6 Mar 20 – Apr 3
🥬 Kale Feb 27 – Mar 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 13 – Mar 27
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 13 – Mar 20 Apr 17 – Apr 24 Apr 17 – Apr 24
🥒 Zucchini Mar 13 – Mar 20 Apr 17 – Apr 24 Apr 17 – Apr 24
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 17 – Apr 24
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 17 – Apr 24
🌿 Basil Feb 27 – Mar 13 Apr 17 – Apr 24 Apr 24 – May 1
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 11 – Oct 9

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Flora 5 NW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Flora 5 NW

Roughly 196 frost-free days gives Flora 5 NW gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 10; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 23 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Flora 5 NW, IL?

The average last spring frost in Flora 5 NW is around Apr 10, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Flora 5 NW, IL?

The average first fall frost in Flora 5 NW arrives around Oct 23. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Flora 5 NW?

About 196 frost-free days on average, from Apr 10 to Oct 23. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Flora 5 NW in?

USDA zone 7a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.