Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 60120 — Elgin, IL

ZIP code 60120 (Elgin, Kane County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 26 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 60120 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostApr 26

First frostOct 18

2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Elgin, IL…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Elgin, IL

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Elgin, IL — 3 miles away, elevation 764 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 60120

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Apr 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 10 – May 24

BeansSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 26) and first fall frost (Oct 18) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 60120 came on Mar 22 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8).

average
Apr 82026
Mar 22

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 5b in Illinois

584 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Illinois, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Elgin, IL.

Soil in Elgin, IL

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 60120 is Fox — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.4slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fox silt loam, 2 to 4 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 60120; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elgin, IL

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights139nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,994base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation39.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elgin, IL (3 mi away); precipitation: Hoffman Estates 4.6 W, IL (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

601215b

Elgin, IL · 2 mi

601925b

Hoffman Estates, IL · 3 mi

601075b

Streamwood, IL · 3 mi

South Elgin, IL · 5 mi

601845b

Wayne, IL · 6 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Elgin → · Illinois planting zones →

Questions about 60120

What planting zone is ZIP code 60120?

ZIP code 60120 (Elgin, IL) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Elgin, IL?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 60120 is April 26; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elgin station.

When is the first frost in Elgin, IL?

The median first fall frost near 60120 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 60120?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 1 – Mar 15 and set transplants outside around May 3 – May 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 60120 get?

About 39.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hoffman Estates 4.6 W station).

How hot do summers get in Elgin, IL?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 60120 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fox at the center of ZIP 60120: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.4 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Elgin, IL in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 60120 came on Mar 22 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elgin, IL?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 60120 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).