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Planting Calendar for West Chicago, 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 14 (at WEST CHICAGO DUPAGE AP, IL climate station).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds OutdoorsTransplantAverage Days to MaturityFrost Tolerance
ArugulaFrost Aug 26-Sep 30
Moon Sep 2-17
N/A40Frost-hardy
BeetsFrost Jul 22-Aug 19
Moon Jul 22-Aug 3
N/A50Frost-tolerant
Bok ChoyFrost Aug 5-26
Moon Aug 5-19
N/A50Frost-tolerant
BroccoliFrost Jul 15-22
Moon Jul 15-21
Frost Aug 5-19
Moon Aug 5-19
60Frost-tolerant
Brussels SproutsFrost Jun 24-Jul 8
Moon Jul 5-8
N/A100Frost-hardy
CabbageFrost Jul 15-22
Moon Jul 15-21
Frost Aug 5-12
Moon Aug 5-12
90Frost-tolerant
CarrotsFrost Jul 29-Aug 5
Moon Jul 29-Aug 3
N/A70Frost-tolerant
CauliflowerFrost Jul 8-15
Moon Jul 8-15
Frost Jul 22-29
75Frost-tolerant
ChivesFrost Jul 22-Aug 19
Moon Aug 4-19
N/A70Frost-tolerant
FennelFrost Jul 15-29
Moon Jul 15-21
N/A80Tender
GarlicFrost Oct 28-Nov 10
Moon Oct 28-31
N/A120Frost-hardy
Green BeansFrost Jul 29-Aug 12
Moon Aug 4-12
N/A55Tender
KaleFrost Aug 5-19
Moon Aug 5-19
N/A60Frost-hardy
KohlrabiFrost Aug 12-Sep 2
Moon Aug 12-19, Sep 2
N/A45Frost-tolerant
LettuceFrost Aug 5-19
Moon Aug 5-19
N/A60Frost-tolerant
Mustard GreensFrost Aug 12-Sep 2
Moon Aug 12-19, Sep 2
N/A45Tender
PeasFrost Aug 5-19
Moon Aug 5-19
N/A55Tender
RadishesFrost Sep 2-16
N/A25Frost-tolerant
SpinachFrost Aug 26-Sep 16
Moon Sep 2-16
N/A30Frost-hardy
Swiss ChardFrost Aug 5-19
Moon Aug 5-19
N/A60Frost-tolerant
TurnipsFrost Aug 12-26
Moon Aug 20-26
N/A50Frost-tolerant

Planting Dates for Spring

On average, your last spring frost occurs on May 1 (at WEST CHICAGO DUPAGE AP, IL climate station, elevation 754 feet).
CropFrost Based on Frost Dates
Moon Based on Moon Dates
Start Seeds IndoorsPlant Seedlings
or Transplants
Start Seeds OutdoorsLast Date to Plant
ArugulaFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
Sep 16
AsparagusN/AN/AFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 24-May 1
May 1
BasilFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Sep 2
BeetsN/AFrost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 24-May 1
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 3-7
May 15
Bell PeppersFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
N/AJul 22
Bok ChoyFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Jun 12
BroccoliFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
Aug 12
Brussels SproutsFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
Jul 8
CabbageFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
May 8
CantaloupesFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
Frost May 1-15
Moon May 7-15
Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Jul 8
CarrotsN/AN/AFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 3-7
Aug 5
CauliflowerFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Apr 24-May 8
Moon May 7-8
N/AJul 29
CeleryFrost Feb 6-20
Moon Feb 9-20
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Frost May 1
Aug 5
ChivesFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Aug 19
Cilantro (Coriander)N/AN/AFrost May 1-15
Moon May 7-15
May 22
CollardsFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Aug 5
CucumbersFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Aug 5
DillN/AN/AFrost Apr 24-May 15
Moon May 7-15
Aug 19
Dry BeansN/AN/AFrost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Jul 8
EggplantsFrost Mar 5-20
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
N/AAug 5
Fava BeansN/AN/AFrost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
May 15
FennelFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Frost May 1-15
Moon May 7-15
Jul 29
GarlicN/AN/AN/A
Green BeansN/AN/AFrost May 8-29
Moon May 8-23
Aug 5
Honeydew MelonsFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Jul 15
Jalapeño PeppersFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
N/A
KaleFrost Mar 5-20
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
May 15
KohlrabiFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
May 15
LeeksFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
N/AJul 1
LettuceFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
May 15
MicrogreensN/AN/AN/A
Mustard GreensN/AN/AN/A
OkraFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 8-17
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Aug 5
OnionsN/AFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 3-7
N/AJul 8
OreganoFrost Feb 20-Mar 20
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
N/AAug 5
ParsleyFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Frost Apr 3-May 8
Moon Apr 8-23
Jul 29
ParsnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 3-7
Jul 8
PeanutsN/AN/AFrost May 22-Jun 5
Moon May 24-Jun 5
PeasN/AN/AFrost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
May 15
PotatoesN/AN/AFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 3-7
Aug 5
PumpkinsFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Jul 1
RadishesN/AN/AFrost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 3-7
Aug 19
RosemaryFrost Feb 6-20
Moon Feb 9-20
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
N/AAug 19
SageFrost Mar 5-20
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
N/AJul 29
SalsifyN/AN/AFrost Apr 3-17
Moon Apr 3-7
Jul 8
SpinachFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 8-10
May 15
Sweet CornN/AN/AFrost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
Jul 29
Sweet PotatoesN/AN/AFrost May 15-29
Moon May 24-29
Jul 1
Swiss ChardFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost Apr 17-May 1
Moon Apr 17-23
Frost Apr 10-May 1
Moon Apr 10-23
May 15
ThymeFrost Feb 20-Mar 5
Moon Feb 20-24
Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
N/AJul 22
TomatillosFrost Mar 20-Apr 3
Moon Mar 20-25
Frost May 15-29
Moon May 15-23
N/AJul 29
TomatoesFrost Mar 5-20
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
N/AJul 15
TurnipsN/AN/AFrost Apr 3-10
Moon Apr 3-7
Sep 16
WatermelonsFrost Apr 10-24
Moon Apr 10-23
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Frost May 8-15
Moon May 8-15
Jul 15
Winter SquashFrost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Jun 24
Zucchini (Summer Squash)Frost Apr 10-17
Moon Apr 10-17
Frost May 8-22
Moon May 8-22
Frost May 15-22
Moon May 15-22
Aug 12
The Old Farmer's Store