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Oak Lawn, IL Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 60453 · elevation 189′ · NOAA & USDA data

Oak Lawn is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 203 days between the average last spring frost (April 10) and first fall frost (November 1). 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
6a
min temp -10 to -5°F
Last spring frost
April 10
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
November 1
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
203 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 85.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Oak Lawn

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Chicago Midway Ap 3sw, IL (2 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (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 Oak Lawn

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: February 27 · Transplant out: April 17
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: February 13 · Transplant out: April 24
CucumberswarmDirect sow: April 17
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: April 17
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: April 17
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: April 17
BasilwarmTransplant out: April 17
PeascoolSow (spring): March 6 · Sow (fall): September 6
SpinachcoolSow (spring): February 27 · Sow (fall): September 6
LettucecoolSow (spring): March 13 · Sow (fall): September 6
KalecoolTransplant (spring): March 20 · Sow (fall): August 23
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): March 27
CarrotscoolSow (spring): March 20 · Sow (fall): August 23
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): March 13
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: March 27
RadishescoolSow (spring): March 13 · Sow (fall): September 20

Dates are computed from Oak Lawn'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

Orland Park, ILBerwyn, ILCicero, ILTinley Park, ILCalumet City, ILChicago, ILDowners Grove, ILElmhurst, 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 3sw, IL, 2 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Chicago Midway Ap 3sw, IL, 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.