Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 60201 (Evanston, IL)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Chicago Botanic Garden, IL (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)176 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
54°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 53°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Shabbona 5 NNE (61 mi).
4-inch depth
55°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Shabbona 5 NNE (61 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 60201 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 55°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 21: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 11 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 26 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 11 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 21 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 2 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 8 | Oct 10 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 26 | Oct 21 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 13 | Nov 1 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 60201
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 21). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 1–15 | May 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 15–Mar 1 | May 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 15–Mar 1 | May 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 1–15 | May 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 1–15 | Apr 5–26 (transplant) Mar 29–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 16 (transplant) Aug 12–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 15–Apr 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 16 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 1–15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 26 (transplant) Jul 15–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 1–15 | Mar 29–Apr 26 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 26 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 26 (transplant) Jul 15–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 15–Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 15–Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15–Mar 1 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) | Jul 15–Aug 12 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 1–15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | Jul 1–22 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 1–15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 29–Apr 26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 29–Apr 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 15–29 | Apr 12–May 3 (transplant) Apr 12–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 29–Apr 26 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 5–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 22–May 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 29–Apr 19 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 1–15 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 15–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | Aug 12–26 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 1–15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 9–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 15–29 (transplant) | Sep 9–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | Jul 1–15 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 17–Jun 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 3–17 (transplant) May 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 3–17 (transplant) May 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 3–17 (transplant) May 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 10–24 (transplant) May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 10–24 (transplant) May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 15–29 | May 10–24 (transplant) May 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 1–15 | May 3–10 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 15–29 | May 3–17 (transplant) May 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 12–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 15–Mar 1 | Apr 12–26 (transplant) Apr 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 26–May 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 26–May 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 29–Apr 12 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Chicago Botanic Garden, IL (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00111497), elevation 630 ft, 7.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Palwaukee AP, IL | 12 mi | Apr 19 | Oct 26 |
| Chicago Ohare Intl AP, IL | 13 mi | Apr 16 | Oct 28 |
| Chicago Northerly Is, IL | 14 mi | Apr 10 | Nov 5 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 16 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 60201
When is the last frost in 60201?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 60201 is April 26. For a more cautious planting date, use May 11, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 60201?
The average first fall freeze is October 21. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 5.
What hardiness zone is 60201?
ZIP 60201 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 60201 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
60208 Evanston 60203 Skokie 60202 Evanston 60091 Wilmette 60076 Skokie 60043 Kenilworth 60645 Chicago 60626 Chicago
Other ZIP codes in Cook County
60004 60005 60007 60008 60010 60016 60018 60022 60025 60026 60029 60043 60053 60056 60062 60067 60068 60070 60074 60076 60077 60090 60091 60093 All Cook County frost dates · Illinois frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.