Fall · September 8, 2026

Chicago, Illinois

Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Lowlands·Hardiness zone 6a

Now

26°C · Overcast

Today

27° / 17°

Soil 6 cm

24°C

First frost

~54 days (Nov 1)

Gardening in Chicago

AI field guide · refreshed weekly

Chicago Garden: Early Fall Planting & Harvest (Sept 8–14)

Zone 6a, 54 days until first frost (Nov 1). Soil at 24°C (75°F) is ideal for fall crop germination. Spring frost was Apr 23, so you're 138 days into the growing season. Cool nights are arriving; frost risk is real by late October, so prioritize quick-maturing varieties now.

Sow outdoors now

  • Spinach (Bloomsdale, Space or Tyee)

    Sow directly into beds now; germinates fast in warm soil, matures in 40–50 days before hard frost. Thin to 10 cm (4 in) apart.

  • Arugula (Roquette)

    Direct sow; ready to harvest in 30–40 days. Tolerates light frost and tastes better after a chill.

  • Radish (Cherry Belle, Icicle)

    Direct sow; matures in 25–30 days. Plant every 10 days through mid-September for succession harvests.

  • Kale (Winterbor, Lacinato)

    Direct sow or transplant seedlings; improves flavor after frost. Matures in 50–60 days; can overwinter in zone 6a.

  • Mâche (Corn Salad)

    Direct sow; cold-hardy salad green, germinates in cool soil, ready in 6–8 weeks. Survives light frosts.

Start indoors now

  • Cabbage transplants (Early Jersey Wakefield, Stonehead)

    Start now for transplant in 3–4 weeks; needs 70–80 days to mature but will finish before hard frost if set out by late September.

  • Broccoli (Calabrese, De Cicco)

    Start indoors; transplant in 3 weeks. Matures in 55–70 days; aim to harvest main head before first frost.

  • Lettuce (Buttercrunch, Oakleaf)

    Start indoors for transplant in 2–3 weeks, or direct sow outdoors. Succession-plant every 10 days through September.

Harvest now

  • Tomatoes (all types)

    Pick ripe fruit now; green tomatoes can ripen indoors. Vines will slow as nights cool; harvest before first frost (Nov 1).

  • Peppers (sweet & hot)

    Pick mature peppers; plants will produce until frost. Leave some on vine to ripen fully for better flavor.

  • Beans (pole & bush)

    Harvest pods regularly to encourage more flowering. Frost will kill plants, so pick all mature pods by late October.

    Caution: Wear gloves if handling hot peppers; wash hands before touching face.

  • Summer squash & zucchini

    Pick when 15–20 cm (6–8 in) long for best texture. Frost will kill plants in 6–8 weeks.

Tasks this week

  • Water deeply 2–3 times this week (no rain forecast); soil at 24°C dries quickly. Mulch beds to retain moisture.
  • Deadhead spent flowers on perennials (coneflower, black-eyed Susan) to extend bloom and reduce self-seeding.
  • Scout for Japanese beetles and squash bugs; hand-pick or use neem oil if populations spike.
  • Cut back summer herbs (basil, oregano) before frost; dry or freeze for winter use.
  • Stake or support fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage) if wind gusts reach 20 km/h (12 mph) as forecast.

Watch out for

  • Powdery mildew on squash, cucumbers, and phlox in humid conditions—thin foliage for air flow and spray sulfur if needed.
  • Early blight on tomato foliage; remove lower leaves and dispose of (not compost). Avoid overhead watering.
  • Frost risk by late October—have row covers or frost cloth ready for tender crops; mulch root vegetables in place for extended harvest.

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