Frost Dates for Elgin, IL 60124
Elgin has 3 ZIP codes. The Elgin, IL frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 1 · First fall frost October 9 · 161 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 60124 has about 24,500 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Elgin.
Moderate season: 161 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 21 (38 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 20 (25 days).
Frost probability for 60124
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 21 | May 1 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 9 | October 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BARRINGTON 3SW (21.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 161-day season in Elgin
In Elgin (161 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 27 | May 15–May 22 | 119 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 119 available after May 15. | Jun 9 |
| Pepper | Mar 20 | May 15–May 22 | 119 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 119 available after May 15. | Jun 14 |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 10. | Aug 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 133 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 15. | Jul 13 |
| Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Peas | — | Mar 6–May 15 | 224 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 6. | Jul 29 |
| Zucchini | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Onion | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 196 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 6–Apr 24 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Kale | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 3. | Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 3. | Aug 7 |
| Radish | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16. | Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 9 | 266 | overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer. | Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 27–May 22 | 217 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 8. | Jun 21 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 17 | May 15–May 15 | 126 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 126 available after May 15. | May 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 8 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 24. | Jul 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 210 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 3. | Jul 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 126 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 126 available after May 15. | May 27 |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 119 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 119 available after May 15. | Jun 19 |
| Okra | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Basil | Mar 27 | May 22–May 22 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 22. | Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 3–Apr 24 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after May 8. | Jul 24 |
| Celery | Feb 20 | May 8–May 22 | 161 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 161 available after May 8. | Jun 4 |
| Scallions | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Collards | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 119 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 119 available after May 15. | Jun 4 |
| Chives | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Oregano | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after May 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 161 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after May 8. | — |
| Sage | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after May 8. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 8. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Cosmos | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Lavender | Feb 6 | May 1–May 15 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 20 | May 1–May 8 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 23 |
| Melons | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 119 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 119 available after May 15. | Jun 4 |
| Mint | — | May 1–May 15 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after May 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 140 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 140 available after May 8. | Jul 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 126 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 126 available after May 15. | Jun 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 1–May 15 | 147 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 147 available after May 1. | Jul 3 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 126 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 8. | Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | 126 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 126 available after May 8. | Jun 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Zinnias | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
Month by month in Elgin
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 6), Lavender (Feb 6), Onion (Feb 6), Rosemary (Feb 6), Celery (Feb 20), Collards (Feb 20), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), Sage (Mar 6), Swiss Chard (Mar 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 6), Beets (Mar 6), Dill (Mar 6), Peas (Mar 6), Radish (Mar 6), Spinach (Mar 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 27). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Corn (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Okra (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 3), Turnip (Apr 3), Carrots (Apr 10), Potatoes (Apr 17). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 3), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 3), Cabbage (Apr 3), Collards (Apr 3), Kale (Apr 3), Lettuce (Apr 3), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 1), Beans (May 8), Pole Beans (May 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 1), Lavender (May 1), Marigolds (May 1), Mint (May 1), Nasturtiums (May 1), Zinnias (May 1), +23 more. Last frost around May 1. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 27), Pumpkin (May 27). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Celery (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 6), Tomato (Jun 9), Watermelon (Jun 9), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 8), Pole Beans (Jul 8), Basil (Jul 13), Cosmos (Jul 13), Cucumber (Jul 13), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 7), Carrots (Aug 7), Beets (Aug 8), Dill (Aug 8), Swiss Chard (Aug 8), Calendula (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 6), Spinach (Sep 6), Radish (Sep 7). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 9). First frost around October 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 30). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Elgin, IL (ZIP 60124)?
The median last spring frost date for Elgin, IL (ZIP code 60124) is around May 1. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 13; one in ten it runs past May 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Elgin, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Elgin, IL is around October 9. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Elgin, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Elgin is about 161 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Elgin (161 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Elgin, IL?
Elgin, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Elgin, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 27 and plant out May 15 in Elgin. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Elgin?
Two: plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.
When do I plant garlic in Elgin?
Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
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