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Planting Calendar for Cicero, IL

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The planting calendar below tells you when to plant in the SPRING and also plant in the FALL, based on your zip code or postal code.

Spring Planting Calendar

Our spring planting calendar starts with the very first dates that you can plant (based on the last spring frost). But if you've missed these dates, no worries! This is why we've added "last planting dates" to our spring calendar; this is meant to help new gardeners understand that if they missed the first spring planting window, they could still get crops in the ground.

In fact, many crops with short maturity times (such as radishes) can be succession planted all the way through the summer in northern areas. However, note that some cool-season crops, such as kale and lettuce, do not grow well in hot temperatures, which can cause bolting issues.  For some gardeners, especially in the South, a break to avoid summer heat is needed, but they can start once the heat has passed. 

The dates provided are based on the number of weeks before or after frost, so we can provide a unique calendar to every user in the country. Thus, several crops (especially similar crops) may appear to have the same date. Kale and lettuce, for example, or dates for starting seeds, like broccoli and cabbage. 

Fall Planting Calendar

When we say "fall," we really mean planting in summer in time for a fall harvest. Think of this as a second summer! It's easy to keep the crops going if you've already prepared the soil! 

Many crops that would be started indoors for a spring crop can just be plunked into the soil directly for a fall crop. Not only is the soil already warm but also there are less pests and it tends to be rainier so you don't need to water as often. Some fall vegetables need to be harvested by the first frost, but many are frost-tolerant and even taste better after a kiss of fall frost!

See each plant's individual Growing Guide for more specific planting, plant care, and harvesting information.

Specifically, on the charts, there are different columns labeled as follows:

  1. Start Seeds Indoors: When to sow seeds indoors to get an early start on the season.
  2. Plant Seedlings Outdoors: When to put small seedlings that you grew indoors (OR starter plants that you bought at a garden nursery) in the outdoor soil.
  3. Start Seeds Outdoors: When to plant seeds directly into the outdoor soil.
  4. Last Date to Plant: You may plant any time from the "start seeds" dates until this "last date." Don't wait any longer, or the crop won't have time to get to harvest before fall/winter frosts.

The "Moon Dates" indicate the best planting dates based on Moon phases. You can learn more about this age-old technique below.

When N/A appears in the chart, that starting method is typically not recommended, although it is likely still possible. 

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Planting Dates for Fall

On average, your first fall frost occurs on October 26 (at CHICAGO MIDWAY AP, IL climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Sep 7-Oct 12
Moon Sep 7-17, Oct 2-12
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Aug 3-31
Moon Aug 3, Aug 20-31
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Aug 17-Sep 7
Moon Aug 17-19, Sep 2-7
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jul 27-Aug 3
Frost Aug 17-31
Moon Aug 17-19
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jul 6-20
Moon Jul 6-20
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jul 27-Aug 3
Frost Aug 17-24
Moon Aug 17-19
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Aug 10-17
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jul 20-27
Moon Jul 20-21
Frost Aug 3-10
Moon Aug 4-10
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Aug 3-31
Moon Aug 4-19
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jul 27-Aug 10
Moon Aug 4-10
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Nov 8-22
Moon Nov 16-22
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Aug 10-24
Moon Aug 10-19
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Aug 17-31
Moon Aug 17-19
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Aug 24-Sep 14
Moon Sep 2-14
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Aug 17-31
Moon Aug 17-19
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Aug 24-Sep 14
Moon Sep 2-14
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Aug 17-31
Moon Aug 17-19
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Sep 14-28
Moon Sep 18-28
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Sep 7-28
Moon Sep 7-17
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Aug 17-31
Moon Aug 17-19
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Aug 24-Sep 7
Moon Aug 24-Sep 1
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on April 17 (at CHICAGO MIDWAY AP, IL climate station, elevation 613 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 20-25
Sep 28
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 3-7
Apr 17
BasilFrost Mar 5-20
Frost May 1-15
Moon May 7-15
Frost May 1-15
Moon May 7-15
Sep 14
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 3-7
Frost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 26-27
May 1
Bell PeppersFrost Feb 6-20
Moon Feb 9-20
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
N/AAug 3
Bok ChoyFrost Mar 5-20
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
May 29
BroccoliFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 20-25
Aug 24
Brussels SproutsFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 20-25
Jul 20
CabbageFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 20-25
Apr 24
CantaloupesFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 24-May 1
Jul 20
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 26-Apr 3
Aug 17
CauliflowerFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
N/AAug 10
CeleryFrost Jan 23-Feb 6
Moon Jan 23-25
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost Apr 17
Moon Apr 17
Aug 17
ChivesFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost Mar 27-Apr 3
Frost Mar 27-Apr 3
Aug 31
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
May 8
CollardsFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Mar 27-Apr 3
Aug 17
CucumbersFrost Mar 27-Apr 3
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Aug 17
DillN/AN/AFrost Apr 10-May 1
Moon Apr 10-23
Aug 31
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jul 20
EggplantsFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
N/AAug 17
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 20-25
May 1
FennelFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 24-May 1
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Aug 10
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 24-May 15
Moon May 7-15
Aug 17
Honeydew MelonsFrost Mar 27-Apr 3
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jul 27
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Feb 6-20
Moon Feb 9-20
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
N/A
KaleFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 20-25
May 1
KohlrabiFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Mar 27-Apr 3
Frost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 20-25
May 1
LeeksFrost Feb 6-20
Moon Feb 9-20
Frost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
N/AJul 13
LettuceFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Mar 27-Apr 3
Frost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 20-25
May 1
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Frost May 1-15
Moon May 7-15
Aug 17
OnionsN/AFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 26-Apr 3
N/AJul 20
OreganoFrost Feb 6-Mar 5
Moon Feb 9-24
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
N/AAug 17
ParsleyFrost Feb 6-20
Moon Feb 9-20
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost Mar 20-Apr 24
Moon Mar 20-25, Apr 8-23
Aug 10
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 26-27
Jul 20
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost May 8-22
PeasN/AN/AFrost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 20-25
May 1
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 26-Apr 3
Aug 17
PumpkinsFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jul 13
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 26-27
Aug 31
RosemaryFrost Jan 23-Feb 6
Moon Jan 23-25
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
N/AAug 31
SageFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
N/AAug 10
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 26-Apr 3
Jul 20
SpinachFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Mar 27-Apr 3
Frost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 20-25
May 1
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 1-15
Moon May 7-15
Aug 10
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 1-15
Moon May 1-6
Jul 13
Swiss ChardFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost Mar 27-Apr 17
Moon Apr 8-17
May 1
ThymeFrost Feb 6-20
Moon Feb 9-20
Frost Apr 24-May 1
N/AAug 3
TomatillosFrost Mar 5-20
Frost May 1-15
Moon May 7-15
N/AAug 10
TomatoesFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
N/AJul 27
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Mar 20-27
Moon Mar 26-27
Sep 28
WatermelonsFrost Mar 27-Apr 10
Moon Apr 8-10
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Frost Apr 24-May 1
Jul 27
Winter SquashFrost Mar 27-Apr 3
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Jul 6
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Mar 27-Apr 3
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
Frost May 1-8
Moon May 7-8
Aug 24
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