When should I plant basil in ZIP 60601?

In ZIP 60601, the main basil target is around May 5, based on the representative Chicago frost station and USDA zone 6a.

Is this a guaranteed planting date?

No. GrowZone uses frost-date estimates, hardiness zones, and crop timing rules for planning. Local microclimates and current weather can shift the right date.

ZIP 60601 planting calendar

In ZIP 60601, plant basil around May 5.

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

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

Read the method

Season map

Basil windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Start indoors

Mar 21

Direct sow

May 5

Transplant

May 5

Harvest

Jul 9

Frost watch

Aug 16

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start basil indoorsMar 21

Last frost windowApr 25

Direct sow basilMay 5

Transplant basilMay 5

First basil harvest windowJul 9

Last basil sowing targetAug 16

Signal	Value	Why it matters
Last frost estimate	April 25, 2026	Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimate	October 20, 2026	Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length	178 days	Longer seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing	10-12 in	Airflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature	65 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

Basil timing notes

Pinch the growing tips early for fuller plants. Basil prefers full sun, 10-12 in spacing, and soil near 65 F+.

For fall, count backward from Oct 20. A conservative last sowing target is around Aug 16.