What to plant this week in Chicago, IL
Chicago gardeners in zone 6b are currently riding a warm spell that has pushed the average last frost date to mid-April, allowing you to finally move out those summer starters listed for this week. With nights still dipping near our -5°F winter minimum just months ago, watch your soil temperature carefully before rushing tomatoes or peppers into the cool morning air.
The next 7 days
Chicago, ILGrowing in Chicago right now
- Chicago's heavy clay soil retains moisture well but can freeze-thaw early; amend with compost now to improve drainage for those newly transplanted Basil and Zinnias.
- Our lake-effect rain pattern often dumps inches in a single afternoon this time of year, so check your trellises on Pole Beans and Cucumbers before heavy showers arrive.
- Take advantage of the current warm window to transplant Heat-loving crops like Okra and Ghost Pepper directly from indoors or cold frames, as our typical heat arrives shortly after Memorial Day.
- Protect young harvests of Sweet Corn and Watermelon from late spring hail, which is common in the South Suburbs and can shred tender leaves overnight.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
41 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and cucumbers every two weeks for continuous harvests through August.
- Mulch heavily around young transplants and newly planted garlic to retain moisture as daytime temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tips of bush beans and zucchini plants once they reach 6 inches to encourage branching and heavier fruit production.
Pest & disease watch
- Cabbage Loopers are often active on nearby Brassicas right now, looking for egg masses under leaves before they hatch.
- Slugs thrive in Chicago's damp summers and will target young Lettuce or Seedlings if the ground stays wet into the evening.
- Aphid colonies frequently build up quickly on newly transplanted Sunflowers and Zinnias during our humid spells.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants early in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal diseases.
Harvest zucchini and summer squash frequently when they are small (6 inches) to signal the plant to keep producing fruit.
Chicago gardening questions
3Can I plant Garlic now in Chicago?
Yes, this is the ideal time to set down your Garlic cloves for a fall harvest next summer. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil and avoid heavy clay patches unless you amend them heavily.
How do I handle Okra in our cool late spring?
Wait until all threat of frost has passed completely, which aligns with our current conditions favoring the transplant list. Start seeds indoors a few weeks prior or buy transplants to get those tall stalks going quickly.
Is it safe to put out Zucchini and Squash now?
While the air feels warm, ensure the soil is actually above 60°F before placing your Yellow Summer Squash or Winter Squash seedlings outdoors. A light frost can easily kill these tender plants if temperatures drop unexpectedly.
Other cities in zone 6b
12See the full zone 6b guide → · Plan your Chicago garden in SproutGuide →