Lyons, IL frost dates
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season203 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Lyons compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lyons falls between March 30 and April 27, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 14.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 203-day growing season is longer than 87% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 18 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 106 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Lyons shares its weather station with Berwyn, IL, 4 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 14 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Lyons, IL
Lyons, IL frost dates — last frost Apr 11, first frost Oct 31, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lyons, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Chicago Midway Ap, IL weather station, 7 km away (elevation 614 ft (187 m)).
Frost dates near Lyons
- Brookfield Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Riverside Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Berwyn Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Summit Argo Apr 11 · Oct 31
- La Grange Park Apr 11 · Oct 31
- La Grange Apr 19 · Oct 22
- Hines Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Broadview Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Cicero Apr 11 · Oct 31
- Western Springs Apr 19 · Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lyons, IL?
The median last spring frost in Lyons, IL is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lyons, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Lyons, IL?
About 203 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lyons, IL?
Lyons, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.