Planting dates for Chicago
Frost dates and sow windows from the 30-year record at Chicago Midway Ap 72534, the official station 15 km from Chicago, Illinois.
Sow and transplant events for the staples, straight from this page.
Key windows for Chicago (2026)
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | February 28 | April 18 |
| Pepper | February 14 | April 25 |
| Peas | – | March 7 |
| Lettuce | February 14 | March 14 |
| Carrot | – | March 21 |
| Bush beans | – | April 18 |
| Garlic (longer than the average season; use short varieties) | – | Fall planted |
| Potato | – | March 28 |
Mean-date planning windows, not guarantees; watch the local forecast at the shoulders. Method on the methodology page.
Chicago planting questions
When is the last frost in Chicago?
Around April 11, the 30-year mean date of the last spring frost at Chicago Midway Ap 72534, the official station 15 km from Chicago. Half of years see frost after the mean, so tender crops usually wait a week or more past it.
When can I plant tomatoes in Chicago?
Start seeds indoors around February 28 and transplant around April 18, once nights hold above 50F. The full 32-crop table on the planner computes every window for Chicago.
How long is the growing season in Chicago?
About 201 frost-free days on average, from roughly April 11 to October 31. Crops whose days-to-maturity exceed that window need transplants, short-season varieties, or season extension.
How this page was made
Every date above is computed from the NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals at Chicago Midway Ap 72534: the 30-year mean dates of last spring and first fall frost, with crop offsets from standard horticultural practice. Full method and crop sources: data and methodology. These are planning averages, not forecasts: half of years frost later than the mean, so harden off transplants and watch the local forecast at the shoulders of the season.
More for Chicago: winter tire dates. Need every crop, or a different place? The full calendar covers 32 crops at 2697 stations.