When to plant in South Elgin, IL
USDA Zone 5bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in South Elgin, Illinois — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 5b, South Elgin gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
ELGIN · 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 South Elgin’s own odds, recorded at ELGIN.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 24 | May 6 | Apr 22 | Sep 24 | Oct 7 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F | May 12 | Apr 26 | Apr 12 | Oct 3 | Oct 18 | Oct 31 |
| 28°F | Apr 29 | Apr 14 | Apr 1 | Oct 15 | Oct 29 | Nov 12 |
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 South Elgin, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 12 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.
South Elgin planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in South Elgin, IL?
On average, the last spring frost in South Elgin 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 South Elgin, IL?
In South Elgin, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 18 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is South Elgin in?
South Elgin is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in South Elgin?
South Elgin has about 175 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 26) and first fall frost (October 18).
When should I plant tomatoes in South Elgin?
For South Elgin, sow tomatoes indoors about March 1–March 15 and move the seedlings out around May 3, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in South Elgin
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to South Elgin’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Elgin · 5 km
- St. Charles · 8 km
- Campton Hills · 10 km
- Bartlett · 12 km
- Streamwood · 12 km
- Geneva · 12 km
- West Chicago · 13 km
- Hanover Park · 14 km
Frost dates recorded at ELGIN, 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 South Elgin, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00112736. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/south-elgin.