When to plant in Evanston, IL
USDA Zone 6aEvanston, Illinois frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 6a means Evanston sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN · 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 Evanston’s own odds, recorded at CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 26 | May 8 | Apr 24 | Sep 28 | Oct 10 | Oct 24 |
| 32°F | May 11 | Apr 26 | Apr 11 | Oct 5 | Oct 21 | Nov 2 |
| 28°F | Apr 28 | Apr 13 | Mar 31 | Oct 17 | Nov 1 | Nov 14 |
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 Evanston, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 21 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.
Evanston planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Evanston, IL?
On average, the last spring frost in Evanston is around April 26 (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 Evanston, IL?
Expect Evanston's first fall frost near October 21 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Evanston in?
Evanston 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 Evanston?
There are roughly 178 frost-free days in Evanston (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 26 to the first fall frost near October 21.
When should I plant tomatoes in Evanston?
In Evanston, start tomato seeds indoors around March 1–March 15, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 3 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Evanston
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Evanston’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Skokie · 4 km
- Wilmette · 4 km
- Lincolnwood · 6 km
- Winnetka · 8 km
- Morton Grove · 8 km
- Niles · 10 km
- Glenview · 12 km
- Park Ridge · 13 km
Frost dates recorded at CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, 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 Evanston, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00111497. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/evanston.