When to plant in Oak Forest, IL
USDA Zone 6aOak Forest, Illinois frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 6a, Oak Forest gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
PARK FOREST · 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 Oak Forest’s own odds, recorded at PARK FOREST.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 24 | May 5 | Apr 20 | Sep 27 | Oct 10 | Oct 22 |
| 32°F | May 11 | Apr 23 | Apr 9 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 |
| 28°F | Apr 27 | Apr 12 | Mar 30 | Oct 18 | Oct 30 | Nov 15 |
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 Oak Forest, 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.
Oak Forest planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Oak Forest, IL?
On average, the last spring frost in Oak Forest is around April 23 (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 Oak Forest, IL?
In Oak Forest, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 20 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Oak Forest in?
Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest?
Oak Forest has about 180 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 23) and first fall frost (October 20).
When should I plant tomatoes in Oak Forest?
For Oak Forest, sow tomatoes indoors about February 26–March 12 and move the seedlings out around April 30, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Oak Forest
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Oak Forest’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Midlothian · 3 km
- Crestwood · 4 km
- Markham · 5 km
- Country Club Hills · 5 km
- Tinley Park · 6 km
- Hazel Crest · 7 km
- Alsip · 7 km
- Palos Heights · 7 km
Frost dates recorded at PARK FOREST, 14 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 Oak Forest, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00116616. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/oak-forest.