Chicago, IL planting zone & frost dates
Chicago is in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 10 and the first fall frost around November 5, for a growing season of about 208 days.
Planting calendar for Chicago
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 10 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 5).
Useful for zone 6b 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 29 | Apr 10 | Apr 25 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 20 | Nov 5 | Oct 24 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 25, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 24. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 1.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Chicago
- 60601 zone 6b
- 60602 zone 6b
- 60605 zone 6b
- 60607 zone 6b
- 60608 zone 6a
- 60609 zone 6a
- 60610 zone 6b
- 60611 zone 6b
- 60612 zone 6a
- 60613 zone 6b
- 60614 zone 6b
- 60615 zone 6b
- 60616 zone 6b
- 60617 zone 6a
- 60618 zone 6a
- 60619 zone 6a
- 60620 zone 6a
- 60621 zone 6a
- 60622 zone 6a
- 60623 zone 6a
- 60624 zone 6a
- 60625 zone 6a
- 60626 zone 6a
- 60628 zone 6a
- 60629 zone 6a
- 60630 zone 6a
- 60631 zone 6a
- 60632 zone 6a
- 60633 zone 6a
- 60634 zone 6a
- 60636 zone 6a
- 60637 zone 6a
- 60638 zone 6a
- 60639 zone 6a
- 60640 zone 6a
- 60641 zone 6a
- 60642 zone 6a
- 60643 zone 6a
- 60644 zone 6a
- 60645 zone 6a
- 60646 zone 6a
- 60647 zone 6a
- 60649 zone 6b
- 60651 zone 6a
- 60652 zone 6a
- 60653 zone 6b
- 60654 zone 6b
- 60655 zone 6a
- 60656 zone 6a
- 60657 zone 6a
- 60659 zone 6a
- 60660 zone 6a
- 60661 zone 6b
- 60664 zone 6b
- 60668 zone 6b
- 60669 zone 6b
- 60670 zone 6b
- 60673 zone 6b
- 60674 zone 6b
- 60675 zone 6b
- 60677 zone 6b
- 60678 zone 6b
- 60680 zone 6b
- 60681 zone 6b
- 60682 zone 6b
- 60684 zone 6b
- 60685 zone 6b
- 60686 zone 6a
- 60687 zone 6b
- 60688 zone 6a
- 60689 zone 6b
- 60690 zone 6b
- 60691 zone 6b
- 60693 zone 6b
- 60694 zone 6b
- 60695 zone 6b
- 60696 zone 6b
- 60697 zone 6b
- 60699 zone 6b
- 60701 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- Cicero zone 6a, last frost Apr 11
- Oak Park zone 6a, last frost Apr 11
- Evergreen Park zone 6a, last frost Apr 10
- Berwyn zone 6a, last frost Apr 11
- Forest Park zone 6a, last frost Apr 11
- River Forest zone 6a, last frost Apr 11
- Summit zone 6a, last frost Apr 11
- Lyons zone 6a, last frost Apr 11
Questions
What growing zone is Chicago, IL?
Chicago is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b (average extreme winter low -5°F to 0°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 6a.
When is the last frost in Chicago?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Chicago is April 10. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 25.
When can I plant tomatoes in Chicago?
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 Northerly Is, IL (USC00111550), 3.4 km (2.1 mi) from the city center, elevation 178 m, based on 15 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.