When to plant in Wheaton, IL
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Wheaton, Illinois — all computed from Wheaton's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5b means Wheaton sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM · 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 Wheaton’s own odds, recorded at LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 25 | May 9 | Apr 25 | Sep 22 | Oct 6 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 14 | Apr 28 | Apr 14 | Oct 1 | Oct 16 | Oct 29 |
| 28°F | May 4 | Apr 16 | Apr 2 | Oct 12 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 |
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 Wheaton, 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.
Wheaton planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Wheaton, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Wheaton around April 28 (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 Wheaton, IL?
Expect Wheaton's first fall frost near October 16 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Wheaton in?
Wheaton 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 Wheaton?
There are roughly 171 frost-free days in Wheaton (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 28 to the first fall frost near October 16.
When should I plant tomatoes in Wheaton?
In Wheaton, start tomato seeds indoors around March 3–March 17, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 5 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Wheaton
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Wheaton’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Glen Ellyn · 4 km
- Winfield · 4 km
- Glendale Heights · 7 km
- Carol Stream · 7 km
- Lisle · 7 km
- Warrenville · 8 km
- Lombard · 8 km
- Downers Grove · 10 km
Frost dates recorded at LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, 6 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 Wheaton, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00115097. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/wheaton.