Blue Island, IL planting zone & frost dates
Blue Island is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 10 and the first fall frost around November 1, for a growing season of about 203 days.
Planting calendar for Blue Island
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 10) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 Transplant outdoors: Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 Transplant outdoors: Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 Transplant outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 30 – Feb 13 Transplant outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 Transplant outdoors: Apr 17 – Apr 24 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 6 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 1).
Useful for zone 6a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 30 | Apr 10 | Apr 26 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 16 | Nov 1 | Oct 21 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 26, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 21. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 1.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Blue Island
- 60406 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- Midlothian zone 6a, last frost Apr 10
- Riverdale zone 6a, last frost Apr 23
- Harvey zone 6a, last frost Apr 23
- Alsip zone 6a, last frost Apr 10
- Crestwood zone 6a, last frost Apr 10
- Markham zone 6a, last frost Apr 23
- Evergreen Park zone 6a, last frost Apr 10
- Dolton zone 6a, last frost Apr 23
Questions
What growing zone is Blue Island, IL?
Blue Island is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Blue Island?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Blue Island is April 10. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 26.
When can I plant tomatoes in Blue Island?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 17 – Apr 24. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Chicago Midway Ap 3Sw, IL (USC00111577), 12.0 km (7.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 189 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.