When to plant potatoes in Chicago, Illinois

February 27 – March 13

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Chicago year

Climate basis: NOAA station Chicago Northerly Is, IL (USC00111550), 2 mi (3 km) from downtown Chicago (ZCTA 60602 centroid), elevation 583 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Plant seed potatoes from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 10). One year in ten still freezes after April 25.

Last spring freezeApril 101-in-10 after Apr 25

First fall freezeNovember 51-in-10 before Oct 24

Frost-free season≈ 208 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 1 – Nov 15kills even hardy greens

USDA zone6b-5 to 0°F winter low — not frost timing

The Chicago year

Direct-sow outdoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 25

Potatoes in Chicago · freeze context from Chicago Northerly Is, IL, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Feb 27 – Mar 13

Purdue: hardy — plant seed pieces 4–6 weeks before the last spring frost. Minnesota adds the practical caveat: plant as soon as the soil warms. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 10). Purdue University Extension · University of Minnesota Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

Potatoes are grown from seed pieces, not indoor-started seedlings.

Transplant outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.

Fall planting

Not calculated

No source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.

Variety assumption: Assumes a mid-season variety (about 90–110 days from planting).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (2)

Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.
University of Minnesota Extension: Growing potatoes (accessed 2026-07-24)
"Plant seed pieces as soon as the soil warms" — soil-temperature caveat to the frost-relative rule.

Keep exploring

This crop, other cities

Related crops in Chicago

Local overview