When to plant in West Chicago, IL
USDA Zone 5bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in West Chicago, Illinois — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 5b, West Chicago gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
WEST CHICAGO DUPAGE 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 West Chicago’s own odds, recorded at WEST CHICAGO DUPAGE AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 24 | May 6 | Apr 23 | Sep 25 | Oct 7 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F | May 12 | Apr 25 | Apr 11 | Oct 5 | Oct 19 | Oct 30 |
| 28°F | Apr 29 | Apr 14 | Mar 31 | Oct 16 | 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 West Chicago, 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.
West Chicago planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in West Chicago, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in West Chicago around April 25 (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 West Chicago, IL?
Expect West Chicago's first fall frost near October 19 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is West Chicago in?
West Chicago 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 West Chicago?
West Chicago has about 177 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 25) and first fall frost (October 19).
When should I plant tomatoes in West Chicago?
For West Chicago, sow tomatoes indoors about February 28–March 14 and move the seedlings out around May 2, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in West Chicago
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to West Chicago’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Winfield · 6 km
- Carol Stream · 8 km
- St. Charles · 8 km
- Bartlett · 8 km
- Warrenville · 9 km
- Geneva · 9 km
- Batavia · 9 km
- Wheaton · 10 km
Frost dates recorded at WEST CHICAGO DUPAGE AP, 3 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 West Chicago, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094892. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/west-chicago.