When to plant in Chicago Ridge, IL
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Chicago Ridge, Illinois — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6a, Chicago Ridge gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
CHICAGO MIDWAY AP 3SW · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Chicago Ridge’s own odds, recorded at CHICAGO MIDWAY AP 3SW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 6 | Apr 22 | Apr 9 | Oct 10 | Oct 22 | Nov 3 |
| 32°F | Apr 26 | Apr 10 | Mar 30 | Oct 21 | Nov 1 | Nov 16 |
| 28°F | Apr 14 | Apr 1 | Mar 15 | Oct 30 | Nov 11 | Nov 26 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Chicago Ridge, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 9 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Chicago Ridge planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Chicago Ridge, IL?
Chicago Ridge's average last spring frost falls near April 10 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Chicago Ridge, IL?
Expect Chicago Ridge's first fall frost near November 1 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Chicago Ridge in?
Chicago Ridge is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Chicago Ridge?
Chicago Ridge has about 205 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 10) and first fall frost (November 1).
When should I plant tomatoes in Chicago Ridge?
For Chicago Ridge, sow tomatoes indoors about February 13–February 27 and move the seedlings out around April 17, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Chicago Ridge
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Chicago Ridge’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Worth · 2 km
- Oak Lawn · 3 km
- Palos Hills · 4 km
- Burbank · 5 km
- Palos Heights · 5 km
- Hickory Hills · 5 km
- Bridgeview · 5 km
- Alsip · 5 km
Frost dates recorded at CHICAGO MIDWAY AP 3SW, 4 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Chicago Ridge, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00111577. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/chicago-ridge.