Frost dates for 60086 — North Chicago, IL
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How North Chicago compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in North Chicago falls between April 14 and May 16, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 13 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 174-day growing season is longer than 14% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 132 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Waukegan, IL, 9 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 14 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
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 North Chicago, IL
Frost dates for 60086 — North Chicago, IL — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 21, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in North Chicago, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Waukegan Rgnl Ap, IL weather station, 8 km away (elevation 728 ft (222 m)).
ZIP codes in North Chicago: 60064 60086
Frost dates near North Chicago
- Zion Apr 30 · Oct 21
- Winthrop Harbor Apr 30 · Oct 21
- Waukegan Apr 30 · Oct 19
- Wadsworth Apr 30 · Oct 21
- Russell Apr 30 · Oct 21
- Gurnee Apr 30 · Oct 19
- Great Lakes Apr 30 · Oct 19
- Lake Bluff Apr 30 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in North Chicago, IL?
The median last spring frost in North Chicago, IL is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in North Chicago, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in North Chicago, IL?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is North Chicago, IL?
North Chicago, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.