Yorkville, IL planting zone & frost dates
Yorkville is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 28 and the first fall frost around October 13, for a growing season of about 166 days.
Planting calendar for Yorkville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 28) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 Transplant outdoors: May 5 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: May 12 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: May 12 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 5 – May 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 5 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 5 – May 12 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 5 – May 12 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 Transplant outdoors: May 5 – May 12 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 18 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 13).
Useful for zone 5b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 14 | Apr 28 | May 11 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 24 | Oct 13 | Sep 27 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 11, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 27. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 18.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Yorkville
- 60560 zone 5b
Nearby cities
- Plano zone 5b, last frost Apr 28
- Oswego zone 5b, last frost Apr 19
- Montgomery zone 5b, last frost Apr 19
- Aurora zone 5b, last frost Apr 19
- North Aurora zone 5b, last frost Apr 19
- Plainfield zone 5b, last frost Apr 20
- Batavia zone 5b, last frost Apr 19
- Minooka zone 5b, last frost Apr 16
Questions
What growing zone is Yorkville, IL?
Yorkville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b (average extreme winter low -15°F to -10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Yorkville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Yorkville is April 28. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 11.
When can I plant tomatoes in Yorkville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 5 – May 12. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Chicago Aurora Muni Ap, IL (USW00004808), 14.6 km (9.1 mi) from the city center, elevation 216 m, based on 21 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.