Chicago Frost Dates
Chicago, IL · USDA Zone 6a
Median (50 percent probability) dates of the last spring and first fall 32°F freeze at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, from NOAA 1991-2020 US Climate Normals (station USW00094846).
Chicago is in USDA Zone 6a. Plan tender crops around the average last frost (~April) and wrap up before the first fall frost (~October).
Chicago planting calendar
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Peppers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cucumbers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Lettuce | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Zucchini | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Carrots | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Peas | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Broccoli | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Spinach | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Kale | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Onions | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Garlic | ||||||||||||
| Potatoes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Squash (winter) | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Corn | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Radishes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beets | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Eggplant | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Basil | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cilantro | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Parsley | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Pumpkins | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Sunflowers | ● | ● |
Fall planting in Chicago
The Chicago average first frost is around October 28, which is what sets the fall deadlines below. Each crop needs its days to maturity plus about two weeks for the slower growth of shortening days, minus whatever it can take once light frost arrives.
| Crop | Sow by | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Radishes | Oct 7 | Nov 4 |
| Cilantro | Sep 13 | Oct 28 |
| Kale | Sep 12 | Nov 11 |
| Beets | Sep 10 | Nov 4 |
| Lettuce | Sep 8 | Oct 28 |
| Carrots | Sep 2 | Nov 11 |
| Broccoli | Aug 31 | Nov 4 |
| Peas | Aug 29 | Oct 28 |
| Zucchini | Aug 6 | Sep 30 |
| Beans (bush) | Aug 6 | Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Aug 1 | Sep 30 |
| Potatoes | Jul 26 | Oct 24 |
| Tomatoes | Jul 17 | Sep 30 |
| Peppers | Jul 12 | Sep 30 |
| Eggplant | Jul 7 | Sep 30 |
Planted in fall to overwinter in Chicago: garlic ( Oct 28 to Nov 25) , onions ( Sep 16 to Oct 7) , spinach ( Sep 16 to Sep 30) , parsley ( Sep 16 to Sep 30) . See when to plant garlic and the fall planting calendar by zone.
Planning around Chicago's frost dates
- What to plant in October by zone
The October sowing and planting list for Chicago.
- What to plant in November by zone
What still goes in the ground in November in Chicago.
- Cold frame gardening by zone
How many weeks a cold frame adds to the Chicago season, and what to grow in it.
- October garden checklist
The jobs to finish before the first hard freeze in Chicago.
- Houseplants for low light
Something to grow while the Chicago garden is frozen.
More frost dates
Also in Zone 6a: Denver, CO . Other cities: New York, NY , Los Angeles, CA , Houston, TX , Phoenix, AZ , Philadelphia, PA , Atlanta, GA , Dallas, TX , Seattle, WA , Minneapolis, MN , Miami, FL .
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chicago?
On average, around April.
What planting zone is Chicago, IL?
Chicago is in USDA hardiness Zone 6a.
When is the first frost in Chicago?
On average, around October 28. That is a 50 percent probability from the 1991-2020 NOAA normals, so half of all years see a freeze before it.
What can I plant in the fall in Chicago?
radishes (sow by Oct 7), cilantro (sow by Sep 13), kale (sow by Sep 12), beets (sow by Sep 10), lettuce (sow by Sep 8), carrots (sow by Sep 2). Each date is counted back from the Chicago first frost around October 28.