When to plant in Elmhurst, IL
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Elmhurst, Illinois — all computed from Elmhurst's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6a means Elmhurst sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Elmhurst is now 9 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
CHICAGO OHARE INTL AP · 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 Elmhurst’s own odds, recorded at CHICAGO OHARE INTL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 13 | Apr 29 | Apr 15 | Oct 3 | Oct 18 | Oct 30 |
| 32°F | May 1 | Apr 16 | Apr 3 | Oct 15 | Oct 28 | Nov 11 |
| 28°F | Apr 19 | Apr 5 | Mar 21 | Oct 27 | Nov 7 | Nov 22 |
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 Elmhurst, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 14 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.
Elmhurst planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Elmhurst, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Elmhurst around April 16 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Elmhurst, IL?
The first fall frost in Elmhurst typically arrives around October 28 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Elmhurst in?
Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst?
There are roughly 195 frost-free days in Elmhurst (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 16 to the first fall frost near October 28.
When should I plant tomatoes in Elmhurst?
In Elmhurst, start tomato seeds indoors around February 19–March 5, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 23 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Elmhurst
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Elmhurst’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Villa Park · 3 km
- Northlake · 4 km
- Bellwood · 6 km
- Lombard · 6 km
- Addison · 7 km
- Melrose Park · 7 km
- Bensenville · 7 km
- Franklin Park · 7 km
Frost dates recorded at CHICAGO OHARE INTL AP, 11 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 Elmhurst, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094846. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/elmhurst.