What Grows in Chicago, IL?
Chicago's lakeside climate gives it more moderate temperatures than inland Illinois — famous for deep-dish and fresh garden produce.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Chicago is in USDA Zone 5b with about 150 frost-free days, and you can grow tomatoes, peppers, beans, corn, and more here.
Planting tips for Chicago
Lake moderates temps. Plant warm crops after May 10. Excellent farmers markets. Fall garden September.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost April 22, first frost October 20.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rhubarb
Garlic
What grows well in Chicago
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Lettuce
Grows well
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Brussels Sprouts
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Asparagus
Grows well
Rhubarb
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Chicago, IL in?
Chicago, IL is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Chicago?
The average last spring frost in Chicago is around April 22, and the first fall frost is typically October 20. Plan to move tender plants outside after April 22 and have them harvested (or protected) before October 20.
What grows well in Chicago?
Plenty — Chicago's USDA Zone 5b climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Chicago's growing season?
Chicago typically has around 150 frost-free days per year (roughly April 22 to October 20). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Chicago?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Chicago.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Chicago?
Yes — Chicago's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Chicago?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around April 22), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.