Growing in Chicago
- USDA zone (2023)
- 5b-6a
- Median last frost
- April 25
- Median first frost
- October 25
- Growing season
- ~183 days
Frost dates are medians from NOAA climate normals: in half of years, frost comes later. The windows below are computed from each crop's planting rules against this city's dates, treat them as the center of the target, not the edges.
Tomato in Chicago
| Step | Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Start seed indoors | February 28 to March 14 | Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the median last spring frost. |
| Transplant out | May 2 to May 23 | soil ≥ 60°F. Set transplants out 1-4 weeks after the last-frost date, once soil holds 60°F. |
→ Full tomato calendar & suitable varieties for Chicago
Pepper in Chicago
| Step | Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Start seed indoors | February 14 to February 28 | Peppers germinate slowly and need 8-10 weeks indoors, longer than tomatoes. |
| Transplant out | May 9 to May 23 | soil ≥ 65°F. Peppers sulk in cold soil; waiting a week past the tomato date usually pays. |
→ Full pepper calendar & suitable varieties for Chicago
Other crops with rules for this climate
Data sources
Evidence: 2 sources, all independent references.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023) · USDA Agricultural Research Service / Oregon State PRISM (2023), University or Government
- U.S. Climate Normals (1991-2020) · NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (2021), University or Government