When is the last frost in Cicero, IL?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Cicero is around April 11, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Chicago Midway Ap, IL station (3.8 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Cicero?

The average first fall frost in Cicero, IL is around October 31, giving roughly a 201-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Cicero, IL?

Cicero is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -10 to -5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Cicero?

In Cicero, IL the warmest month is July (avg high 85.2°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 19.5°F). It averages about 40.9″ of precipitation a year and 38.8″ of snow.

Home › Illinois › Cicero

Cicero, IL Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 60804 · elevation 189′ · NOAA & USDA data

Cicero is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 201 days between the average last spring frost (April 11) and first fall frost (October 31). The warmest month is July (avg high 85.2°F); the coldest is January (avg low 19.5°F). It averages 40.9″ of precipitation a year and 38.8″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -10 to -5°F

Last spring frost

April 11

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 31

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

201 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 85.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Cicero

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Chicago Midway Ap 3sw, IL (7.2 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	32.8	19.5	26.2	2.3	12.5
February	36.8	22.9	29.9	2.1	10.1
March	47.9	32	39.9	2.7	5.7
April	60	41.7	50.9	4.2	1
May	71.5	52.4	61.9	4.8	0
June	81.2	62.7	71.9	4.5	0
July	85.2	68.1	76.7	4	0
August	83.1	66.9	75	4.1	0
September	76.5	59.2	67.8	3.3	0
October	63.7	46.8	55.3	3.9	0.1
November	49.6	35.2	42.4	2.7	1.5
December	37.7	25.3	31.5	2.3	7.9

What to plant when in Cicero

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 28 · Transplant out: April 18
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 14 · Transplant out: April 25
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 18
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 18
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 18
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 18
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 18
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 7 · Sow (fall): September 5
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 28 · Sow (fall): September 5
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 14 · Sow (fall): September 5
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): August 22
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 28
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): August 22
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 14
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 28
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 14 · Sow (fall): September 19

Dates are computed from Cicero's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Illinois

Berwyn, IL Chicago, IL Oak Lawn, IL Elmhurst, IL Park Ridge, IL Skokie, IL Lombard, IL Downers Grove, IL

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Chicago Midway Ap, IL, 3.8 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Chicago Midway Ap 3sw, IL, 7.2 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.