Planting calendar for ZIP 60637 (Chicago, IL)

When to plant vegetables in Chicago, IL (USDA hardiness zone 6a). Typical last spring frost around Apr 10, 2026 (±11 days year to year), first fall frost around Nov 5, 2026 (±11 days).

Playing it safe? Spring frost holds off until about Apr 24, 2026 in roughly 9 years out of 10 — a good target for tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.

See the full Chicago, IL planting calendar for dates typical of the whole city.

Turn these dates into a plan: lay out your beds, place each crop on its sow and transplant dates, and get a reminder when it’s time. Free on one garden, no credit card.

Plan my garden for 60637

Month by month in Chicago, IL

January

Start seeds indoors: Artichoke
Start seeds indoors: Arugula
Start seeds indoors: Bunching Onion
Start seeds indoors: Celeriac
Start seeds indoors: Celery
Start seeds indoors: Chinese Celery
Start seeds indoors: Chive
Start seeds indoors: Garlic Chives
Start seeds indoors: Horehound
Start seeds indoors: Leek
Start seeds indoors: Onion
Start seeds indoors: Sage
Start seeds indoors: Shallot
Start seeds indoors: Siberian Kale
Start seeds indoors: Tarragon
Start seeds indoors: Thyme

February

Start seeds indoors: Achillea
Start seeds indoors: Agastache
Start seeds indoors: Aji Pepper
Start seeds indoors: Alpine Strawberry
Start seeds indoors: Angelica
Start seeds indoors: Bee Balm
Start seeds indoors: Bishop's Flower
Start seeds indoors: Bok Choy
Start seeds indoors: Broccoli
Start seeds indoors: Broccoli Raab
Start seeds indoors: Brussels Sprouts
Start seeds indoors: Cabbage
Start seeds indoors: Calendula
Start seeds indoors: Cardoon
Start seeds indoors: Catnip
Start seeds indoors: Cauliflower
Start seeds indoors: Celtuce / Stem Lettuce
Start seeds indoors: Chicory
Start seeds indoors: Chiltepin Pepper
Start seeds indoors: Chinese Broccoli
Start seeds indoors: Chinese Cabbage
Start seeds indoors: Chrysanthemum Greens
Start seeds indoors: Clasping Coneflower
Start seeds indoors: Collard
Start seeds indoors: Creeping Thyme
Start seeds indoors: Dandelion
Start seeds indoors: Echinacea
Start seeds indoors: Eggplant
Start seeds indoors: Endive
Start seeds indoors: Ethiopian Eggplant
Start seeds indoors: Ethiopian Kale
Start seeds indoors: Evening Primrose
Start seeds indoors: Hamburg Parsley
Start seeds indoors: Hybrid Coneflower
Start seeds indoors: Hyssop
Start seeds indoors: Japanese Mugwort
Start seeds indoors: Kale
Start seeds indoors: Kohlrabi
Start seeds indoors: Komatsuna Mustard
Start seeds indoors: Lavender
Start seeds indoors: Lemon Balm
Start seeds indoors: Lemon Mint
Start seeds indoors: Lettuce
Start seeds indoors: Lovage
Start seeds indoors: Marjoram
Start seeds indoors: Mexican Tarragon
Start seeds indoors: Mibuna
Start seeds indoors: Mitsuba
Start seeds indoors: Mizuna
Start seeds indoors: Oregano
Start seeds indoors: Paracress
Start seeds indoors: Parsley
Start seeds indoors: Pennyroyal Mint
Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Habanero)
Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Hot)
Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Sweet & Hot)
Start seeds indoors: Pepper (Tabasco)
Start seeds indoors: Purple Yu Choy Sum
Start seeds indoors: Radicchio
Start seeds indoors: Roman Chamomile
Start seeds indoors: Romanesco Broccoli
Start seeds indoors: Rue
Start seeds indoors: Russian Kale
Start seeds indoors: Russian Sage
Start seeds indoors: Salad Burnet
Start seeds indoors: Savory
Start seeds indoors: Sheep Sorrel
Start seeds indoors: Soapwort
Start seeds indoors: Stevia
Start seeds indoors: Sweet Woodruff
Start seeds indoors: Tansy
Start seeds indoors: Tat Soi
Start seeds indoors: Veined Catmint
Start seeds indoors: Vietnamese Culantro
Start seeds indoors: Wormwood
Start seeds indoors: Yarrow
Start seeds indoors: Yu Choy Sum

March

Start seeds indoors: Amaranth
Start seeds indoors: Amaranthus
Start seeds indoors: Basil
Start seeds indoors: Black Cumin / Nigella
Start seeds indoors: Burdock
Start seeds indoors: Cape Gooseberry
Start seeds indoors: Chamomile
Start seeds indoors: Chinese Toon
Start seeds indoors: Epazote
Start seeds indoors: Feverfew
Start seeds indoors: Grain Amaranth
Start seeds indoors: Ground Cherry
Start seeds indoors: Holy Basil
Start seeds indoors: Huauzontle
Start seeds indoors: Korean Mint
Start seeds indoors: Lemon Basil
Start seeds indoors: Lime Basil
Start seeds indoors: Malabar Spinach
Start seeds indoors: Misome
Start seeds indoors: Nasturtium
Start seeds indoors: Orach
Start seeds indoors: Roselle
Start seeds indoors: Shiso
Start seeds indoors: Strawberry Spinach
Start seeds indoors: Summer Savory
Start seeds indoors: Sweet Annie
Start seeds indoors: Thai Basil
Start seeds indoors: Tomatillo
Start seeds indoors: Tomato
Start seeds indoors: Water Pepper
Start seeds indoors: Wild Arugula
Start seeds indoors: Winged Bean
Start hardening off: Artichoke
Start hardening off: Arugula
Start hardening off: Bok Choy
Start hardening off: Broccoli
Start hardening off: Broccoli Raab
Start hardening off: Brussels Sprouts
Start hardening off: Bunching Onion
Start hardening off: Cabbage
Start hardening off: Cardoon
Start hardening off: Cauliflower
Start hardening off: Celeriac
Start hardening off: Celery
Start hardening off: Celtuce / Stem Lettuce
Start hardening off: Chicory
Start hardening off: Chinese Broccoli
Start hardening off: Chinese Cabbage
Start hardening off: Chinese Celery
Start hardening off: Chive
Start hardening off: Collard
Start hardening off: Echinacea
Start hardening off: Endive
Start hardening off: Garlic Chives
Start hardening off: Hamburg Parsley
Start hardening off: Horehound
Start hardening off: Kale
Start hardening off: Kohlrabi
Start hardening off: Komatsuna Mustard
Start hardening off: Leek
Start hardening off: Lettuce
Start hardening off: Mibuna
Start hardening off: Mizuna
Start hardening off: Onion
Start hardening off: Parsley
Start hardening off: Purple Yu Choy Sum
Start hardening off: Radicchio
Start hardening off: Romanesco Broccoli
Start hardening off: Russian Kale
Start hardening off: Sage
Start hardening off: Shallot
Start hardening off: Sheep Sorrel
Start hardening off: Siberian Kale
Start hardening off: Tarragon
Start hardening off: Tat Soi
Start hardening off: Thyme
Start hardening off: Yu Choy Sum
Direct sow outdoors: Arugula
Direct sow outdoors: Beet
Direct sow outdoors: Carrot
Direct sow outdoors: Corn Salad
Direct sow outdoors: Daikon Radish
Direct sow outdoors: Fava Bean
Direct sow outdoors: Leaf Radish
Direct sow outdoors: Miner's Lettuce
Direct sow outdoors: New Zealand Spinach
Direct sow outdoors: Parsnip
Direct sow outdoors: Pea
Direct sow outdoors: Radish
Direct sow outdoors: Red-Veined Sorrel
Direct sow outdoors: Rutabaga
Direct sow outdoors: Shell Pea
Direct sow outdoors: Snap Pea
Direct sow outdoors: Snow Pea
Direct sow outdoors: Sorrel
Direct sow outdoors: Spinach
Direct sow outdoors: Swiss Chard
Direct sow outdoors: Turnip
Transplant outdoors: Arugula
Transplant outdoors: Bok Choy
Transplant outdoors: Broccoli
Transplant outdoors: Broccoli Raab
Transplant outdoors: Brussels Sprouts
Transplant outdoors: Bunching Onion
Transplant outdoors: Cabbage
Transplant outdoors: Cauliflower
Transplant outdoors: Chinese Broccoli
Transplant outdoors: Chinese Cabbage
Transplant outdoors: Collard
Transplant outdoors: Kale
Transplant outdoors: Kohlrabi
Transplant outdoors: Leek
Transplant outdoors: Onion
Transplant outdoors: Romanesco Broccoli
Transplant outdoors: Russian Kale
Transplant outdoors: Shallot
Transplant outdoors: Siberian Kale
Transplant outdoors: Tat Soi
Plant outdoors: Horseradish
Plant outdoors: Jerusalem Artichoke
Plant outdoors: Potato

April

Start seeds indoors: Armenian Cucumber
Start seeds indoors: Cucamelon
Start seeds indoors: Cucumber
Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Angled Luffa)
Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Bitter)
Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Bottle)
Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Luffa)
Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Ornamental)
Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Turban)
Start seeds indoors: Gourd (Wax)
Start seeds indoors: Korean Summer Squash
Start seeds indoors: Melon
Start seeds indoors: Melon (Pickling)
Start seeds indoors: Okra
Start seeds indoors: Pumpkin
Start seeds indoors: Pumpkin (Maxima)
Start seeds indoors: Pumpkin (Moschata)
Start seeds indoors: Summer Squash
Start seeds indoors: Watermelon
Start seeds indoors: West Indian Gherkin
Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Acorn)
Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Banana)
Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Buttercup)
Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Butternut)
Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Cushaw)
Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Delicata)
Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Hubbard)
Start seeds indoors: Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
Start hardening off: Achillea
Start hardening off: Agastache
Start hardening off: Aji Pepper
Start hardening off: Alpine Strawberry
Start hardening off: Amaranth
Start hardening off: Amaranthus
Start hardening off: Angelica
Start hardening off: Armenian Cucumber
Start hardening off: Basil
Start hardening off: Bee Balm
Start hardening off: Bishop's Flower
Start hardening off: Black Cumin / Nigella
Start hardening off: Burdock
Start hardening off: Calendula
Start hardening off: Cape Gooseberry
Start hardening off: Catnip
Start hardening off: Chamomile
Start hardening off: Chiltepin Pepper
Start hardening off: Chinese Toon
Start hardening off: Chrysanthemum Greens
Start hardening off: Clasping Coneflower
Start hardening off: Creeping Thyme
Start hardening off: Cucamelon
Start hardening off: Cucumber
Start hardening off: Dandelion
Start hardening off: Eggplant
Start hardening off: Epazote
Start hardening off: Ethiopian Eggplant
Start hardening off: Ethiopian Kale
Start hardening off: Evening Primrose
Start hardening off: Feverfew
Start hardening off: Gourd (Angled Luffa)
Start hardening off: Gourd (Bitter)
Start hardening off: Gourd (Bottle)
Start hardening off: Gourd (Luffa)
Start hardening off: Gourd (Ornamental)
Start hardening off: Gourd (Turban)
Start hardening off: Gourd (Wax)
Start hardening off: Grain Amaranth
Start hardening off: Ground Cherry
Start hardening off: Holy Basil
Start hardening off: Huauzontle
Start hardening off: Hybrid Coneflower
Start hardening off: Hyssop
Start hardening off: Japanese Mugwort
Start hardening off: Korean Mint
Start hardening off: Korean Summer Squash
Start hardening off: Lavender
Start hardening off: Lemon Balm
Start hardening off: Lemon Basil
Start hardening off: Lemon Mint
Start hardening off: Lime Basil
Start hardening off: Lovage
Start hardening off: Malabar Spinach
Start hardening off: Marjoram
Start hardening off: Melon
Start hardening off: Melon (Pickling)
Start hardening off: Mexican Tarragon
Start hardening off: Misome
Start hardening off: Mitsuba
Start hardening off: Nasturtium
Start hardening off: Okra
Start hardening off: Orach
Start hardening off: Oregano
Start hardening off: Paracress
Start hardening off: Pennyroyal Mint
Start hardening off: Pepper (Habanero)
Start hardening off: Pepper (Hot)
Start hardening off: Pepper (Sweet & Hot)
Start hardening off: Pepper (Tabasco)
Start hardening off: Pumpkin
Start hardening off: Pumpkin (Maxima)
Start hardening off: Pumpkin (Moschata)
Start hardening off: Roman Chamomile
Start hardening off: Roselle
Start hardening off: Rue
Start hardening off: Russian Sage
Start hardening off: Salad Burnet
Start hardening off: Savory
Start hardening off: Shiso
Start hardening off: Soapwort
Start hardening off: Stevia
Start hardening off: Strawberry Spinach
Start hardening off: Summer Savory
Start hardening off: Summer Squash
Start hardening off: Sweet Annie
Start hardening off: Sweet Woodruff
Start hardening off: Tansy
Start hardening off: Thai Basil
Start hardening off: Tomatillo
Start hardening off: Tomato
Start hardening off: Veined Catmint
Start hardening off: Vietnamese Culantro
Start hardening off: Water Pepper
Start hardening off: Watermelon
Start hardening off: West Indian Gherkin
Start hardening off: Wild Arugula
Start hardening off: Winged Bean
Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Acorn)
Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Banana)
Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Buttercup)
Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Butternut)
Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Cushaw)
Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Delicata)
Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Hubbard)
Start hardening off: Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
Start hardening off: Wormwood
Start hardening off: Yarrow
Direct sow outdoors: Asian Greens
Direct sow outdoors: Black Salsify
Direct sow outdoors: Borage
Direct sow outdoors: Bronze Fennel
Direct sow outdoors: Caraway
Direct sow outdoors: Catmint
Direct sow outdoors: Chervil
Direct sow outdoors: Cilantro
Direct sow outdoors: Cress
Direct sow outdoors: Dill
Direct sow outdoors: Fennel
Direct sow outdoors: Mugwort
Direct sow outdoors: Mustard
Direct sow outdoors: Oregano (Greek)
Direct sow outdoors: Peppermint
Direct sow outdoors: Rosemary
Direct sow outdoors: Salsify
Direct sow outdoors: Spearmint
Direct sow outdoors: Strawberry
Direct sow outdoors: Watercress
Transplant outdoors: Achillea
Transplant outdoors: Agastache
Transplant outdoors: Angelica
Transplant outdoors: Artichoke
Transplant outdoors: Bee Balm
Transplant outdoors: Bishop's Flower
Transplant outdoors: Burdock
Transplant outdoors: Calendula
Transplant outdoors: Cardoon
Transplant outdoors: Catnip
Transplant outdoors: Celeriac
Transplant outdoors: Celery
Transplant outdoors: Celtuce / Stem Lettuce
Transplant outdoors: Chamomile
Transplant outdoors: Chicory
Transplant outdoors: Chinese Celery
Transplant outdoors: Chive
Transplant outdoors: Chrysanthemum Greens
Transplant outdoors: Clasping Coneflower
Transplant outdoors: Creeping Thyme
Transplant outdoors: Dandelion
Transplant outdoors: Echinacea
Transplant outdoors: Endive
Transplant outdoors: Ethiopian Kale
Transplant outdoors: Evening Primrose
Transplant outdoors: Feverfew
Transplant outdoors: Garlic Chives
Transplant outdoors: Hamburg Parsley
Transplant outdoors: Horehound
Transplant outdoors: Huauzontle
Transplant outdoors: Hybrid Coneflower
Transplant outdoors: Hyssop
Transplant outdoors: Japanese Mugwort
Transplant outdoors: Komatsuna Mustard
Transplant outdoors: Lemon Balm
Transplant outdoors: Lemon Mint
Transplant outdoors: Lettuce
Transplant outdoors: Lovage
Transplant outdoors: Mibuna
Transplant outdoors: Misome
Transplant outdoors: Mitsuba
Transplant outdoors: Mizuna
Transplant outdoors: Nasturtium
Transplant outdoors: Orach
Transplant outdoors: Oregano
Transplant outdoors: Parsley
Transplant outdoors: Pennyroyal Mint
Transplant outdoors: Purple Yu Choy Sum
Transplant outdoors: Radicchio
Transplant outdoors: Roman Chamomile
Transplant outdoors: Rue
Transplant outdoors: Russian Sage
Transplant outdoors: Sage
Transplant outdoors: Salad Burnet
Transplant outdoors: Savory
Transplant outdoors: Sheep Sorrel
Transplant outdoors: Soapwort
Transplant outdoors: Strawberry Spinach
Transplant outdoors: Sweet Annie
Transplant outdoors: Sweet Woodruff
Transplant outdoors: Tansy
Transplant outdoors: Tarragon
Transplant outdoors: Thyme
Transplant outdoors: Veined Catmint
Transplant outdoors: Wild Arugula
Transplant outdoors: Wormwood
Transplant outdoors: Yarrow
Transplant outdoors: Yu Choy Sum
Plant outdoors: Asparagus
Plant outdoors: Blueberry
Plant outdoors: Rhubarb

May

Direct sow outdoors: Anise
Direct sow outdoors: Bean
Direct sow outdoors: Corn
Direct sow outdoors: Cumin
Direct sow outdoors: Fenugreek
Direct sow outdoors: Lemongrass
Direct sow outdoors: Lima Bean
Direct sow outdoors: Purslane
Direct sow outdoors: Runner Bean
Direct sow outdoors: Soy Bean
Direct sow outdoors: Yardlong Bean
Transplant outdoors: Aji Pepper
Transplant outdoors: Alpine Strawberry
Transplant outdoors: Amaranth
Transplant outdoors: Amaranthus
Transplant outdoors: Armenian Cucumber
Transplant outdoors: Basil
Transplant outdoors: Black Cumin / Nigella
Transplant outdoors: Cape Gooseberry
Transplant outdoors: Chiltepin Pepper
Transplant outdoors: Chinese Toon
Transplant outdoors: Cucamelon
Transplant outdoors: Cucumber
Transplant outdoors: Eggplant
Transplant outdoors: Epazote
Transplant outdoors: Ethiopian Eggplant
Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Angled Luffa)
Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Bitter)
Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Bottle)
Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Luffa)
Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Ornamental)
Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Turban)
Transplant outdoors: Gourd (Wax)
Transplant outdoors: Grain Amaranth
Transplant outdoors: Ground Cherry
Transplant outdoors: Holy Basil
Transplant outdoors: Korean Mint
Transplant outdoors: Korean Summer Squash
Transplant outdoors: Lavender
Transplant outdoors: Lemon Basil
Transplant outdoors: Lime Basil
Transplant outdoors: Malabar Spinach
Transplant outdoors: Marjoram
Transplant outdoors: Melon
Transplant outdoors: Melon (Pickling)
Transplant outdoors: Mexican Tarragon
Transplant outdoors: Okra
Transplant outdoors: Paracress
Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Habanero)
Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Hot)
Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Sweet & Hot)
Transplant outdoors: Pepper (Tabasco)
Transplant outdoors: Pumpkin
Transplant outdoors: Pumpkin (Maxima)
Transplant outdoors: Pumpkin (Moschata)
Transplant outdoors: Roselle
Transplant outdoors: Shiso
Transplant outdoors: Stevia
Transplant outdoors: Summer Savory
Transplant outdoors: Summer Squash
Transplant outdoors: Thai Basil
Transplant outdoors: Tomatillo
Transplant outdoors: Tomato
Transplant outdoors: Vietnamese Culantro
Transplant outdoors: Water Pepper
Transplant outdoors: Watermelon
Transplant outdoors: West Indian Gherkin
Transplant outdoors: Winged Bean
Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Acorn)
Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Banana)
Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Buttercup)
Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Butternut)
Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Cushaw)
Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Delicata)
Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Hubbard)
Transplant outdoors: Winter Squash (Spaghetti)
Plant outdoors: Ginger
Plant outdoors: Sweet Potato
Plant outdoors: Turmeric

September

Plant outdoors: Elephant Garlic
Plant outdoors: Garlic

Understand your frost dates

Where these dates come from

Frost dates for ZIP 60637 come from NOAA 1991-2020 normals (USC00111550 CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US). You can look up that station’s record yourself.

Your exact dates depend on your address and microclimate. Schedules are guidance, not guarantees.