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ZIP 60601 planting calendar

When to plant lettuce in Chicago, IL - Zone 6a

In ZIP 60601, plant lettuce around Apr 11; this uses the Chicago frost station, USDA zone 6a, and lettuce timing rules.

Your Chicago calendar has a 178-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative Chicago frost station, USDA zone 6a, and lettuce timing rules.

Source: chicago-ohare frost station, USDA zone 6a, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

Reviewed by GrowZone Editorial. Calculated from the chicago-ohare frost station and USDA zone 6a, last updated 2026-06-28.

In the Chicago area, lettuce timing follows the Chicago frost window, so the local ZIP date can differ from a broad zone-only calendar.

USDA zone 6a Chicago frost station University of Illinois Extension Updated 2026-06-28
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Answer first

When to start lettuce seeds indoors in Chicago

In ZIP 60601, start lettuce seeds indoors around Mar 28, about 28 days before the Apr 25 last-frost estimate.

Start lettuce seeds indoors in Chicago around Mar 28, about 28 days before the Apr 25 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Lettuce dates for Chicago, IL

StepDateHow to use it
Start IndoorsMarch 28, 2026Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant OutdoorsApril 11, 2026Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.
Direct SowApril 11, 2026Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in Chicago?

Chicago (ZIP 60601) has an average last spring frost around Apr 25.

First frost

When is the first frost in Chicago?

The average first fall frost is around Oct 20, giving about 178 frost-free days.

Season map

Lettuce windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Start indoors
Mar 28
Direct sow
Apr 11
Transplant
Apr 11
Harvest
Jun 5
Frost watch
Aug 26

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start lettuce indoorsMar 28
Direct sow lettuceApr 11
Transplant lettuceApr 11
Last frost windowApr 25
First lettuce harvest windowJun 5
Last lettuce sowing targetAug 26
SignalValueWhy it matters
Last frost estimateApril 25, 2026Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimateOctober 20, 2026Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length178 daysLonger seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing8-12 inAirflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature40 F+Seeds and transplants stall in cold soil.

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Local data

Why this date changes by ZIP

Chicago frost history and USDA zone 6a shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

University of Illinois Extension is the kind of local source to verify against when a crop is expensive, weather is unusual, or your yard has a cold pocket.

Crop note

Lettuce timing notes

Succession sow every 10-14 days while weather is cool. Lettuce prefers sun to part shade, 8-12 in spacing, and soil near 40 F+.

For fall, count backward from Oct 20. A conservative last sowing target is around Aug 26.