Frost Dates for Kankakee, IL 60901
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 9 · 166 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 60901 has about 33,100 people.
Moderate season: 166 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 10–May 13 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 24 (29 days).
Frost probability for 60901
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 13 | April 26 | April 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 9 | October 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at WATSEKA 2 NW (37.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 166-day season in Kankakee
In Kankakee (166 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 22 | May 10–May 17 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | Jun 9 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | Jun 14 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 5. | Aug 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 229 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 1. | Jul 29 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Mar 29. | Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 215 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 29. | Aug 7 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16. | Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 9 | 271 | overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer. | Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 222 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 138 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 138 available after May 3. | Jun 21 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 131 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | May 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 19. | Jul 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 215 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 29. | Jul 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | May 27 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 124 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | Jun 19 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 17. | Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 166 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 166 available after May 3. | Jul 24 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 166 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 166 available after May 3. | Jun 4 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 124 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | Jun 4 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 23 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 124 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | Jun 4 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 145 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 145 available after May 3. | Jul 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | Jun 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after Apr 26. | Jul 3 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 3. | Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 131 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 131 available after May 3. | Jun 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 152 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
Month by month in Kankakee
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Onion (Feb 1), Rosemary (Feb 1), Celery (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), Sage (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 1), Beets (Mar 1), Dill (Mar 1), Peas (Mar 1), Radish (Mar 1), Spinach (Mar 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 29), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 29), Cabbage (Mar 29), Collards (Mar 29), Kale (Mar 29), Lettuce (Mar 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 5), Butternut Squash (Apr 12), Cantaloupe (Apr 12), Melons (Apr 12), Pumpkin (Apr 12), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 5), Potatoes (Apr 12), Sunflowers (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 12), Swiss Chard (Apr 12), Bok Choy (Apr 19), Cauliflower (Apr 19), Cosmos (Apr 26), Lavender (Apr 26), +4 more. Last frost around April 26. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 3), Pole Beans (May 3). Transplant from: Celery (May 3), Chives (May 3), Corn (May 3), Okra (May 3), Oregano (May 3), Parsley (May 3), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 27), Pumpkin (May 27). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Celery (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 6), Tomato (Jun 9), Watermelon (Jun 9), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 8), Pole Beans (Jul 8), Basil (Jul 13), Cosmos (Jul 13), Cucumber (Jul 13), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 7), Carrots (Aug 7), Beets (Aug 8), Dill (Aug 8), Swiss Chard (Aug 8), Calendula (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 6), Spinach (Sep 6), Radish (Sep 7). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 9). First frost around October 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 30). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Kankakee, IL (ZIP 60901)?
The median last spring frost date for Kankakee, IL (ZIP code 60901) is around April 26. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 10; one in ten it runs past May 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Kankakee, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Kankakee, IL is around October 9. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Kankakee, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Kankakee is about 166 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Kankakee (166 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Kankakee, IL?
Kankakee, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Kankakee, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 in Kankakee. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Kankakee?
Two: plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.
When do I plant garlic in Kankakee?
Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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