When to plant in New Lenox, IL
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in New Lenox, Illinois — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6a, New Lenox gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM · 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 New Lenox’s own odds, recorded at JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 18 | May 1 | Apr 16 | Oct 2 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F | May 7 | Apr 19 | Apr 3 | Oct 12 | Oct 25 | Nov 6 |
| 28°F | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Mar 22 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 | Nov 21 |
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 New Lenox, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 23 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.
New Lenox planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in New Lenox, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in New Lenox around April 19 (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 New Lenox, IL?
The first fall frost in New Lenox typically arrives around October 25 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is New Lenox in?
New Lenox 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 New Lenox?
New Lenox has about 189 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 19) and first fall frost (October 25).
When should I plant tomatoes in New Lenox?
For New Lenox, sow tomatoes indoors about February 22–March 8 and move the seedlings out around April 26, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in New Lenox
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to New Lenox’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Mokena · 8 km
- Frankfort · 8 km
- Manhattan · 10 km
- Lockport · 10 km
- Homer Glen · 11 km
- Crest Hill · 14 km
- Orland Park · 14 km
- Joliet · 15 km
Frost dates recorded at JOLIET BRANDON RD DAM, 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 New Lenox, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00114530. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/new-lenox.