When to Plant Tomatoes in Illinois
In Illinois, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 17 – May 1 in Chicago to May 7 – May 21 in Waukegan. In Chicago, it's Apr 17 – May 1. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 10 in Chicago, Apr 30 in Waukegan), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Illinois by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Aurora | 5b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Bartlett | 5b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Belleville | 7a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Berwyn | 6a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Bloomington | 6a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Bolingbrook | 6a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Buffalo Grove | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Champaign | 6a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Chicago | 6a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Cicero | 6a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Crystal Lake | 5b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Decatur | 6a | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Des Plaines | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Downers Grove | 6a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Elgin | 5b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Elmhurst | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Evanston | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Glenview | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Hoffman Estates | 5b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Joliet | 5b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Lombard | 6a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Moline | 5b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Mount Prospect | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Naperville | 5b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Normal | 6a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Oak Lawn | 6a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Oak Park | 6a | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Orland Park | 6a | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Palatine | 5b | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Peoria | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Plainfield | 5b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Rockford | 5b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Romeoville | 6a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Schaumburg | 5b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Skokie | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Springfield | 6a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Tinley Park | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Waukegan | 6a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Wheaton | 5b | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Illinois, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
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