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What can I grow here, and when?
Frost dates, planting zones, soil types, and what actually thrives in Illinois — from mountains to coast.
Frost dates & zones
Illinois spans USDA zones 5a (Chicago metro / Lake Michigan shore) to 7a (southern tip / Cairo area). Verify your exact zone and frost dates with your county Extension office — elevation and microclimates create real variation.
Hardiness Zones
5a (Chicago metro / Lake Michigan shore) to 7a (southern tip / Cairo area)
Last frost: varies by region. First frost: varies by region.
Look up your exact zone by ZIP at USDA →What grows well here
Central IL prairie loam is world-class — test before adding anything. Southern IL soils are more acidic and variable. Chicago urban soils need amendment and often heavy metal testing before gardening. UI Extension county offices offer soil testing.
Know your soil
Northern and central Illinois have some of the most productive soils on Earth — deep black prairie loam laid down over millennia of prairie grass decomposition. Southern Illinois has more variable soils including clay-heavy bottoms and rocky uplands. Chicago's lakefront and urban areas have heavily disturbed soils.
Map your soil type with USDA Web Soil Survey →Free soil testing
Free or low-cost soil testing available through your county Extension office
Results include specific lime and fertilizer recommendations
Most states offer testing April through fall — fees apply in winter
Results typically returned within 10 business days
Next steps
Preserve what you grow
Illinois Extension offers food preservation workshops — and NWS has the full canning guides.
Food IndependenceGet the checklist
Spring prep, frost protection, soil test timing, and compost setup — timed to regional frost dates.
IL Checklists