When to plant in Carol Stream, IL
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Carol Stream, Illinois — all computed from Carol Stream's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 5b, Carol Stream gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
WEST CHICAGO DUPAGE AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Carol Stream’s own odds, recorded at WEST CHICAGO DUPAGE AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 24 | May 6 | Apr 23 | Sep 25 | Oct 7 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F | May 12 | Apr 25 | Apr 11 | Oct 5 | Oct 19 | Oct 30 |
| 28°F | Apr 29 | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | Oct 16 | Oct 29 | Nov 12 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Carol Stream, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 13 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Carol Stream planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Carol Stream, IL?
Carol Stream's average last spring frost falls near April 25 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Carol Stream, IL?
The first fall frost in Carol Stream typically arrives around October 19 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Carol Stream in?
Carol Stream is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Carol Stream?
Carol Stream has about 177 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 25) and first fall frost (October 19).
When should I plant tomatoes in Carol Stream?
For Carol Stream, sow tomatoes indoors about February 28–March 14 and move the seedlings out around May 2, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Carol Stream
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Carol Stream’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Glendale Heights · 5 km
- Winfield · 5 km
- Bloomingdale · 5 km
- Bartlett · 6 km
- Hanover Park · 7 km
- Wheaton · 7 km
- Roselle · 8 km
- West Chicago · 8 km
Frost dates recorded at WEST CHICAGO DUPAGE AP, 9 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Carol Stream, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094892. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/carol-stream.