When to plant in Northlake, IL
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Northlake, Illinois — all computed from Northlake's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 6a, Northlake gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
The average first fall frost in Northlake 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 Northlake’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 Northlake, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 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.
Northlake planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Northlake, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Northlake 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 Northlake, IL?
The first fall frost in Northlake typically arrives around October 28 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Northlake in?
Northlake 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 Northlake?
Northlake 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 Northlake?
For Northlake, 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 Northlake
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Northlake’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Franklin Park · 3 km
- Melrose Park · 4 km
- Elmhurst · 4 km
- Bellwood · 4 km
- River Grove · 6 km
- Schiller Park · 6 km
- Bensenville · 6 km
- Maywood · 6 km
Frost dates recorded at CHICAGO OHARE INTL AP, 9 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 Northlake, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094846. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/northlake.