Last frost date in Chicago, Illinois
April 10
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by March 29; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after April 25.
November 5
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by October 24.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Chicago Northerly Is (USC00111550), 4.1 miles from Chicago, elevation 583 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Mar 29 | Apr 10 | Apr 25 |
| First frost in fall | Oct 24 | Nov 5 | Nov 20 |
An early or late year is one in 10: 1 year in 10 the frost comes before the early date, and 1 year in 10 after the late date.
Frost-free days in an average year: 208
Planting calendar for Chicago
Fall planting
USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about November 10 (Chicago: November 5).
- CucumbersJune 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Eggplant plantsJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- New Zealand spinachJune 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- OkraJune 1 – Aug 20 (past for this year)
- Peppers plantsJune 1 – Aug 1 (past for this year)
- SoybeansJune 1 – July 25 (past for this year)
- Summer squashJune 1 – Aug 10 (past for this year)
- Sweet cornJune 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Sweet potatoesJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- TomatoesJune 1 – July 15 (past for this year)
- Black-eyed peasJune 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- SalsifyJune 15 – July 20 (past for this year)
- Winter squashJune 20 – July 20 (past for this year)
- Celery and celeriac plantsJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Lima beansJuly 1 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Snap beansJuly 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Witloof chicoryJuly 10 – Aug 20 (past for this year)
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)July 15 – 30 (past for this year)
- Florence fennelJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- RutabagaJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- WatermelonJuly 15 – 30 (past for this year)
- PotatoesJuly 25 – Aug 20 (past for this year)
- BeetsAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Broccoli plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Brussels sprouts plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- CarrotsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Cauliflower plantsAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- EndiveAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- GarlicAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- KaleAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- ShallotsAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Chinese cabbageAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Collards plantsAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Head lettuce plantsAug 15 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- KohlrabiAug 15 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Mustard greensAug 15 – Nov 1Now
- SorrelAug 15 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Leaf lettuceAug 25 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Cabbage plantsSept 1 – 15 (past for this year)
- DandelionSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- Garden peasSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- Onion plants plantsSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- ParsleySept 1 – Nov 15Now
- RadishesSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- TurnipsSept 1 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- SpinachSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Corn saladOct 1 – Dec 1Now
- Onion setsOct 1 – Dec 1Now
- Upland cressOct 1 – Dec 1Now
- Asparagus plantsDec 1 – Jan 1Soon
USDA lists chervil and chives, horseradish, leeks, parsnips as generally spring-planted here.
Spring planting
USDA dates for places whose average last freeze is about April 10 (Chicago: April 10).
- Corn saladFeb 1 – Apr 1
- SpinachFeb 15 – Apr 1
- Garden peasFeb 20 – Mar 20
- GarlicFeb 20 – Mar 20
- Cabbage plantsMar 1 – Apr 1
- Cauliflower plantsMar 1 – 20
- Chervil and chivesMar 1 – Apr 1
- Collards plantsMar 1 – June 1
- DandelionMar 1 – Apr 1
- LeeksMar 1 – Apr 1
- Onion plants plantsMar 1 – Apr 1
- Onion seedMar 1 – Apr 1
- Onion setsMar 1 – Apr 1
- RadishesMar 1 – May 1
- Rhubarb plantsMar 1 – Apr 1
- ShallotsMar 1 – Apr 1
- SorrelMar 1 – Apr 15
- TurnipsMar 1 – Apr 1
- Asparagus plantsMar 10 – Apr 10
- BeetsMar 10 – June 1
- CarrotsMar 10 – Apr 20
- Head lettuce plantsMar 10 – Apr 1
- Horseradish plantsMar 10 – Apr 10
- KaleMar 10 – Apr 1
- KohlrabiMar 10 – Apr 10
- Mustard greensMar 10 – Apr 20
- ParsleyMar 10 – Apr 10
- ParsnipsMar 10 – Apr 10
- PotatoesMar 10 – Apr 1
- SalsifyMar 10 – Apr 15
- Upland cressMar 10 – Apr 15
- Broccoli plantsMar 15 – Apr 15
- Brussels sprouts plantsMar 15 – Apr 15
- EndiveMar 15 – Apr 15
- Florence fennelMar 15 – Apr 15
- Leaf lettuceMar 15 – May 15
- Swiss chardMar 15 – June 15
- Celery and celeriac plantsApr 1 – 20
- Lima beansApr 1 – June 30
- Snap beansApr 10 – June 30
- Sweet cornApr 10 – June 1
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Apr 20 – June 1
- CucumbersApr 20 – June 1
- New Zealand spinachApr 20 – June 1
- OkraApr 20 – June 15
- Summer squashApr 20 – June 1
- TomatoesApr 20 – June 1
- WatermelonApr 20 – June 1
- Black-eyed peasMay 1 – July 1
- Eggplant plantsMay 1 – June 1
- Peppers plantsMay 1 – June 1
- SoybeansMay 1 – June 30
- Sweet potatoesMay 1 – June 1
- Witloof chicoryJune 10 – July 1
USDA lists chinese cabbage as generally fall-planted here.
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5 (earliest safe spring and latest safe fall dates), applied to this place's NOAA frost dates. “Plants” means setting out transplants, not sowing seed. How we match the table.
Nearby in Illinois
- Cicero 4 mi · last frost Apr 11
- Berwyn 5 mi · last frost Apr 11
- Oak Park 6 mi · last frost Apr 11
- Forest Park 7 mi · last frost Apr 11
- Lyons 7 mi · last frost Apr 11