When to plant in Shorewood, IL
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Shorewood, Illinois — all computed from Shorewood's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5b means Shorewood sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM · 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 Shorewood’s own odds, recorded at JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 18 | May 1 | Apr 16 | Oct 2 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F | May 7 | Apr 19 | Apr 3 | Oct 12 | Oct 25 | Nov 6 |
| 28°F | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Mar 22 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 | Nov 21 |
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 Shorewood, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 14 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.
Shorewood planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Shorewood, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Shorewood around April 19 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Shorewood, IL?
The first fall frost in Shorewood typically arrives around October 25 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Shorewood in?
Shorewood 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 Shorewood?
There are roughly 189 frost-free days in Shorewood (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 19 to the first fall frost near October 25.
When should I plant tomatoes in Shorewood?
In Shorewood, start tomato seeds indoors around February 22–March 8, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 26 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Shorewood
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Shorewood’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Joliet · 6 km
- Minooka · 9 km
- Crest Hill · 11 km
- Channahon · 11 km
- Plainfield · 11 km
- Romeoville · 16 km
- Lockport · 17 km
- New Lenox · 20 km
Frost dates recorded at JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, 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 Shorewood, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00114530. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/shorewood.