When to plant in Elmwood Park, IL
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Elmwood Park, Illinois — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6a, Elmwood Park gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
The average first fall frost in Elmwood Park 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 Elmwood Park’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 Elmwood Park, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 19 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.
Elmwood Park planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Elmwood Park, IL?
On average, the last spring frost in Elmwood Park is around April 16 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Elmwood Park, IL?
In Elmwood Park, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 28 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Elmwood Park in?
Elmwood Park 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 Elmwood Park?
Elmwood Park has about 195 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 16) and first fall frost (October 28).
When should I plant tomatoes in Elmwood Park?
For Elmwood Park, sow tomatoes indoors about February 19–March 5 and move the seedlings out around April 23, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Elmwood Park
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Elmwood Park’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- River Grove · 2 km
- River Forest · 3 km
- Melrose Park · 4 km
- Oak Park · 4 km
- Norridge · 5 km
- Maywood · 5 km
- Franklin Park · 5 km
- Schiller Park · 6 km
Frost dates recorded at CHICAGO OHARE INTL AP, 13 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 Elmwood Park, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094846. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/elmwood-park.