Frost dates for 60615Chicago, IL
The average last spring frost in Chicago is April 10 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 24 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 9 | Oct 12 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 10 · Apr 25 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 14 | Nov 2 · Nov 15 · Dec 1 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chicago
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 60615 is matched to the NOAA station Chicago Northerly Is, IL, 6 km away, at 583 ft elevation (11 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Northerly Is, IL (used) | 583 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 5 |
| Chicago Midway Ap, IL | 612 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 31 |
| Chicago Midway Ap 3Sw, IL | 620 ft | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
| Little Red School Hse, IL | 715 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Chicago
- Chicago, IL 60653 · last Apr 10, first Nov 5
- Oak Lawn, IL 60454 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Bedford Park, IL 60499 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Evergreen Park, IL 60805 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Hometown, IL 60456 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Cicero, IL 60804 · last Apr 11, first Oct 31
- Burbank, IL 60459 · last Apr 10, first Nov 1
- Whiting, IN 46394 · last Apr 10, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chicago, IL?
- For ZIP code 60615, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chicago Northerly Is, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Chicago, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 60615?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.