When is the last frost in Elgin, IL?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Elgin is around April 26, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Elgin, IL station (3.1 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 Elgin?

The average first fall frost in Elgin, IL is around October 18, giving roughly a 174-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Elgin, IL?

Elgin is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -15 to -10°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Elgin?

In Elgin, IL the warmest month is July (avg high 84.1°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 14.1°F). It averages about 39.9″ of precipitation a year and 32.1″ of snow.

Home › Illinois › Elgin

Elgin, IL Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 5b · ZIP 60120 · elevation 233′ · NOAA & USDA data

Elgin is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (winters can dip to -15 to -10°F), with a growing season of about 174 days between the average last spring frost (April 26) and first fall frost (October 18). The warmest month is July (avg high 84.1°F); the coldest is January (avg low 14.1°F). It averages 39.9″ of precipitation a year and 32.1″ 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 -15 to -10°F

Last spring frost

April 26

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 18

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

174 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 84.1°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Elgin

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Elgin, IL (3.1 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	30.1	14.1	22.1	2	9.5
February	34.2	16.8	25.5	1.9	8
March	46.1	26.3	36.2	2.4	3.7
April	58.7	37	47.9	4	0.8
May	70.3	48.3	59.3	5.1	0
June	80.1	58.4	69.2	4.5	0
July	84.1	63.2	73.7	4	0
August	82.3	61.2	71.8	4.3	0
September	75.7	52.8	64.3	3.5	0
October	62.7	40.9	51.8	3.3	0
November	47.6	30.1	38.8	2.7	1.4
December	35.5	20.1	27.8	2.2	8.7

What to plant when in Elgin

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 15 · Transplant out: May 3
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 1 · Transplant out: May 10
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 3
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 3
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 22 · Sow (fall): August 23
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 15 · Sow (fall): August 23
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 29 · Sow (fall): August 23
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 5 · Sow (fall): August 9
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 12
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 5 · Sow (fall): August 9
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 29
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 12
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 29 · Sow (fall): September 6

Dates are computed from Elgin'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

Hoffman Estates, IL Streamwood, IL Bartlett, IL Carpentersville, IL Hanover Park, IL Schaumburg, IL Carol Stream, IL Palatine, 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 — Elgin, IL, 3.1 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Elgin, IL, 3.1 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.