Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 60642 (Chicago, IL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Chicago Northerly Is, IL (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)208 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
54°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 53°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Shabbona 5 NNE (61 mi).
4-inch depth
55°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Shabbona 5 NNE (61 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 60642 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 55°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 5: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 29 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 10 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 25 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 24 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 5 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 20 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 23 | Oct 26 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 10 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 1 | Nov 15 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 60642
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Nov 5). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 13–27 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 13–27 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 13–27 | Mar 20–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 13–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (transplant) Aug 27–Sep 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 27–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 13–27 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) Jul 30–Aug 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 13–27 | Mar 13–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 13–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–Sep 10 (transplant) Jul 30–Aug 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | Jul 30–Aug 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 16–30 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 13–27 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 13–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Mar 27–Apr 17 (transplant) Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 13–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 6–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 24–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 16–30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 27–Mar 27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 27–Sep 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 16–30 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 27–Mar 13 (transplant) | Sep 24–Oct 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 16–30 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 13–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 13–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 13–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 13–20 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 13–20 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) Apr 24–May 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 16–30 | Apr 17–24 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 27–Mar 13 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 27–Apr 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 30–Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Aug 27–Sep 24 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Chicago Northerly Is, IL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00111550), elevation 583 ft, 4.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Midway AP, IL | 9 mi | Apr 11 | Oct 31 |
| Chicago Midway AP 3SW, IL | 13 mi | Apr 10 | Nov 1 |
| Chicago Ohare Intl AP, IL | 16 mi | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 60642
When is the last frost in 60642?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 60642 is April 10. For a more cautious planting date, use April 25, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 60642?
The average first fall freeze is November 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 24.
What hardiness zone is 60642?
ZIP 60642 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 60642 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
60610 Chicago 60622 Chicago 60654 Chicago 60661 Chicago 60614 Chicago 60606 Chicago 60607 Chicago 60602 Chicago
Other ZIP codes in Cook County
60004 60005 60007 60008 60010 60016 60018 60022 60025 60026 60029 60043 60053 60056 60062 60067 60068 60070 60074 60076 60077 60090 60091 60093 All Cook County frost dates · Illinois frost dates
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