When to plant in Lombard, IL
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Lombard, Illinois — all computed from Lombard's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6a means Lombard sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM · 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 Lombard’s own odds, recorded at LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 25 | May 9 | Apr 25 | Sep 22 | Oct 6 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 14 | Apr 28 | Apr 14 | Oct 1 | Oct 16 | Oct 29 |
| 28°F | May 4 | Apr 16 | Apr 2 | Oct 12 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 |
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 Lombard, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 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.
Lombard planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lombard, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Lombard around April 28 (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 Lombard, IL?
In Lombard, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 16 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Lombard in?
Lombard 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 Lombard?
There are roughly 171 frost-free days in Lombard (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 28 to the first fall frost near October 16.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lombard?
In Lombard, start tomato seeds indoors around March 3–March 17, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 5 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lombard
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lombard’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Villa Park · 3 km
- Glen Ellyn · 4 km
- Addison · 6 km
- Elmhurst · 6 km
- Glendale Heights · 7 km
- Wheaton · 8 km
- Downers Grove · 9 km
- Westmont · 10 km
Frost dates recorded at LISLE-MORTON ARBORETUM, 8 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 Lombard, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00115097. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/lombard.