🌷 Your Ultimate Garden Calendar!

🍂 First Frost Dates for Waukegan, Illinois 60085

The first 36°F frost date is 30% likely to be on Oct 2. (See detailed probabilities below.)

The first 32°F light freeze date is 30% likely to be on Oct 13. (See detailed probabilities below.)

(See also 🌷 Last Spring Frost Dates.)

First frost date probabilities for Waukegan, IL are based on historical climate data.

Always check your local forecast for the most up-to-date frost warnings.

Book Recommendations (ads!)

📚 Growing Under Cover: Techniques for a More Productive, Weather-Resistant, Pest-Free Vegetable Garden

📚 Greenhouse Gardening for Beginners: Step By Step Guide To Build A Year-Round Greenhouse And Grow Herbs, Organic Fruits And Vegetables, Plants, Flowers Plans & Ideas for Extending the Growing Season

📚 How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Round: Ultimate Guide to Vertical, Container, and Hydroponic Gardening (Creative Homeowner) Vegetables, Herbs, DIY Projects, Composting, Lights, & More

📚 The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener: How to Grow Your Own Food 365 Days a Year, No Matter Where You Live

What is a First Frost Date?

The first fall frost signals the end of your local growing season. This date serves as an important deadline for gardeners and farmers. You'll need to complete harvesting before this point. Annuals and other tender plants will die back when frost hits, and perennial plants will enter their dormant phase for winter. Meanwhile, it's time to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and a cozy sweater—and start planning your spring garden!

How to use the First Frost Date?

Watch your local weather forecasts in early fall to predict the first frost date. Harvest tender crops and protect vulnerable plants before frost arrives. For late-summer plantings, count backward from your area's average first frost date. This ensures your crops have enough time to mature. Keep track of when frost actually occurs in your garden each year. This helps you identify protected spots where the growing season might last longer.

First Frost Date Probabilities

Probability of frost (36°F) on or before...
10% chanceSep 25
20% chanceSep 29
30% chanceOct 2
40% chanceOct 5
50% chanceOct 8
60% chanceOct 11
70% chanceOct 14
80% chanceOct 17
90% chanceOct 23
Probability of light freeze (32°F) on or before...
10% chanceOct 3
20% chanceOct 9
30% chanceOct 13
40% chanceOct 16
50% chanceOct 20
60% chanceOct 23
70% chanceOct 26
80% chanceOct 30
90% chanceNov 3
Probability of moderate freeze (28°F) on or before...
10% chanceOct 13
20% chanceOct 20
30% chanceOct 24
40% chanceOct 28
50% chanceOct 31
60% chanceNov 2
70% chanceNov 6
80% chanceNov 10
90% chanceNov 15
Probability of moderate hard freeze (24°F) on or before...
10% chanceOct 25
20% chanceNov 1
30% chanceNov 4
40% chanceNov 8
50% chanceNov 12
60% chanceNov 15
70% chanceNov 18
80% chanceNov 22
90% chanceNov 26
Probability of hard freeze (20°F) on or before...
10% chanceNov 6
20% chanceNov 12
30% chanceNov 16
40% chanceNov 20
50% chanceNov 23
60% chanceNov 26
70% chanceNov 29
80% chanceDec 2
90% chanceDec 8
Probability of severe hard freeze (16°F) on or before...
10% chanceNov 16
20% chanceNov 23
30% chanceNov 26
40% chanceNov 29
50% chanceDec 1
60% chanceDec 5
70% chanceDec 8
80% chanceDec 13
90% chanceDec 19

Agricultural climatic data from weather station: WAUKEGAN (USC00119029)

Back to Weather Calendar