Planting calendar for Chicago, Illinois

Dates from 30 years of records at the Chicago Northerly Island weather station, 2.1 miles from Chicago, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Chicago at a glance

Weather station: Chicago Northerly Island · 2.1 mi
USDA zone: 6a
Last spring frost: typically Apr 10; 1 year in 10 after Apr 25
First fall frost: typically Nov 5; 1 year in 10 before Oct 24
Frost-free season: about 209 days
Hottest month: July: highs 81°F, nights 67°F
Coldest month: January: highs 32°F, nights 20°F
Rain: 34 in. a year, most in May, June and August

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Chicago typically comes around Apr 10, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 25. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 5. That leaves about 209 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summers are mild, with highs around 81°F in July, so cool-season crops last longer here than in hotter places: leaf lettuce is best planted Mar 21–Apr 24, Aug 2–Sep 18.

Chicago gets about 34 inches of rain a year, most of it in May, June and August.

160 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 14 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Chicago, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Snapdragon, Stock

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Celery, Lettuce (romaine & head), Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lovage, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice

March53

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fava bean, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Potato, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Winter savory, Ground cherry, Strawflower

April57

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Potato, Radish, Salsify, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Grape (bunch), Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Beet, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radicchio, Rhubarb, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Watercress, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Parsley, Rosemary, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Black-eyed Susan, Larkspur, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Sweet potato, Tomatillo, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Basil, Marjoram, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold, Milkweed (native)

May52

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cardoon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Purslane, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Garlic chives, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Tarragon (French), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea)

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Salsify, Shallot, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Watercress, Caraway, Chamomile, Cuban oregano, Dill, Feverfew, Lavender, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Stevia, Summer savory, Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Blackberry, Blueberry, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon

June39

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Radish, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Turnip, Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Malabar spinach, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower

July55

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Stevia

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Ginger, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Moringa, Mustard greens, Okinawa spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Lemongrass, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Lettuce (romaine & head), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

August54

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Rutabaga, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season)

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Nasturtium, Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Garden cress, Kale, Mache (corn salad), Radish, Spinach, Turnip, Summer savory, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Stock

September21

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Broccoli raab (rapini), Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Chervil, Cilantro, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

October3

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic, Radish

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Chicago

160 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 22–Jun 5, Aug 18–Sep 3	Jun 6–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 6–20, Jul 17–Aug 6	May 21–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 27–Apr 10	Apr 11–27	Jan 23–Feb 6	Set out plants
Arugula	Mar 20–May 2, Aug 9–Sep 28	Feb 27–Mar 19, May 3–Jun 1, Jun 27–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 13–Apr 10	Apr 11–May 8	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 6–20, Jul 31–Aug 21	May 21–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 6–20, Jun 26–Jul 17	May 21–Jun 25	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 2–22	Jun 6–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 6–20, Jul 21–Aug 11	May 21–Jul 20	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 13–Apr 3, Aug 16–Sep 6	Apr 4–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 6–20, Jul 19–Aug 9	May 21–Jul 18	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 28–Apr 14, Aug 5–30	Mar 27, Apr 15–May 3, Jul 13–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Jun 7–21	Jun 22–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 13–27, Aug 9–29	Mar 28–May 14, Jun 29–Aug 8	Jan 30–Feb 13, Jun 28–Jul 18	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Mar 21–Apr 16, Aug 8–Sep 16	Mar 13–20, Apr 17–May 13, Jul 8–Aug 7	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 13–27, Jul 21–Aug 11	Mar 28–May 6, May 11–Jul 20	Jan 30–Feb 13, Jun 9–30	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 6–20, Jul 27–Aug 17	Mar 21–Jul 26	Jan 23–Feb 6, Jun 15–Jul 6	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 23	Feb 25–Mar 11	Set out plants
Carrot	Mar 20–Apr 10, Aug 6–27	Apr 11–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Mar 20–Apr 3, Jul 26–Aug 15	Apr 4–May 24, Jun 29–Jul 25	Feb 6–20, Jun 14–Jul 4	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 5–19, Jun 22–Jul 13	Apr 20–Jun 21	Jan 18–Feb 1, Apr 6–27	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 21–May 5, Jun 18–Jul 9	May 6–Jun 17	Feb 3–17, Apr 2–23	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 5–19	Apr 20–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Mar 20–Apr 10, Aug 14–Sep 3	Apr 11–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 13–27, Aug 20–Sep 10	Mar 28–Aug 19	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 6–20, Jul 24–Aug 14	May 21–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 6–20, Jul 22–Aug 11	May 21–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Mar 20–Apr 3, Aug 16–Sep 6	Apr 4–May 19, Jul 7–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 4–24	Jun 6–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 7–27	Jun 6–Jul 6	Mar 20–Apr 3, May 5–25	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 15–Nov 19	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Mar 20–Apr 3, Jul 8–29	Apr 4–20, Jul 3–7	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Mar 3–17	Mar 18–Apr 5	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Mar 27–Apr 10, Jul 18–Aug 8	Apr 11–May 11, Jun 27–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 3–May 16, Aug 26–Oct 2	Mar 27–Apr 2, May 17–Jun 16, Jul 13–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 15–Nov 19	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	Jun 20–Jul 6	Jun 7–19, Jul 7–10	May 2–18	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Mar 13–27	Mar 28–May 8	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Feb 27–Mar 20, Sep 2–22	Mar 21–Sep 1	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 13–27, Aug 24–Sep 13	Mar 28–Aug 23	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Apr 10–30, Jul 22–Sep 21	May 1–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 13–27, Jul 11–Aug 1	Mar 28–Jul 10	Jan 9–23, May 9–30	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Mar 21–Apr 24, Aug 2–Sep 18	Mar 13–20, Apr 25–May 25, Jun 19–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Mar 20–Apr 9, Jul 29–Sep 1	Apr 10–May 4, Jun 29–Jul 28	Feb 13–Mar 5, Jun 24–Jul 28	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	Jun 7–25	—	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Mar 13–Apr 1, Aug 30–Sep 30	Apr 2–18, Jul 26–Aug 29	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Jun 7–21, Jul 14–31	Jun 22–Jul 13	Apr 19–May 3, May 26–Jun 12	Set out plants
Moringa	Jun 7–21	Jun 22–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Mar 19–Apr 23, Aug 6–Sep 26	Feb 27–Mar 18, Apr 24–May 18, Jun 24–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Mar 28–Apr 15, Jul 12–Aug 27	Mar 27, Apr 16–May 11, Jun 4–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 6–20, Jul 24–Aug 13	May 21–Jul 23	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jun 7–21	Jun 22–Aug 2	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jun 7–21, Jul 22–Aug 6	Jun 22–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Mar 22–Apr 16, Jun 6–Jul 23	Feb 27–Mar 21, Apr 17–Jun 5	Jan 4–29, Mar 21–May 7	Set out plants
Parsnip	Mar 20–Apr 10	Apr 11–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 3–17, Aug 14–Sep 3	Mar 18–May 25, Jun 28–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 3–17, Aug 14–Sep 3	Mar 18–May 24, Jun 25–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 12–26, Jun 29–Jul 20	May 27–Jun 28	Mar 10–24, Apr 27–May 18	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 6–20, Jul 9–30	May 21–Jul 8	Mar 4–18, May 7–28	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 6–13	May 14–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Apr 1–23, Jun 12–Jul 19	Mar 20–31, Apr 24–Jun 11	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 6–20, Jun 4–25	May 21–Jun 3	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 30–Aug 20	Jun 6–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 13–20	Mar 21–Apr 27	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Mar 23–May 12, Aug 26–Oct 10	Mar 6–22, May 13–Jun 13, Jul 10–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 13–Apr 4	Apr 5–27	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Mar 13–27, Jul 26–Aug 16	Mar 28–Apr 10, Jun 20–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Mar 20–Apr 10, Jun 2–23	Apr 11–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	Jun 7–22	—	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Feb 27–Mar 13, Jul 16–Aug 6	Mar 14–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Jun 7–21, Jul 4–25	Jun 22–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Feb 28–Apr 6, Aug 26–Oct 5	Feb 27, Apr 7–May 7, Jul 11–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 6–20, Jul 27–Aug 16	May 21–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 10–May 1	Mar 20–Apr 9	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 6–13, Jul 9–29	May 14–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	Jun 7–25	—	Apr 19–May 7	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Mar 20–Apr 10, Aug 21–Sep 11	Apr 11–Aug 20	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 6–20	May 21–Jul 27	Mar 25–Apr 8	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 6–20, Jul 24–Aug 13	May 21–Jul 23	Mar 18–Apr 1, Jun 5–25	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 21–28, Jul 29–Aug 18	Apr 29–Jul 28	Mar 3–10, Jun 10–30	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 22–Jun 5, Jul 11–Aug 1	Jun 6–Jul 10	Apr 3–17, May 23–Jun 13	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 6–20, Jul 11–Aug 1	May 21–Jul 10	Mar 18–Apr 1, May 23–Jun 13	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 6–20, Jul 9–29	May 21–Jul 8	Mar 18–Apr 1, May 21–Jun 10	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 13–27, Aug 26–Sep 16	Mar 28–Aug 25	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Mar 20–Apr 3	Apr 4–May 15	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	Jun 7–25	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 22–Jun 25	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 6–20, Jun 14–Jul 5	May 21–Jun 13	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Jun 7–21, Jul 9–27	Jun 22–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Apr 10–May 8	May 9–Jun 5	Feb 24–Mar 24	Set out plants
Basil	May 22–29, Jul 22–Aug 11	May 30–Jul 21	Apr 17–24, Jun 17–Jul 7	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Apr 10–May 8	May 9–Jun 5	Feb 20–Mar 20	Set out plants
Borage	Apr 16–May 11, Jul 12–Aug 28	Apr 3–15, May 12–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Mar 20–Apr 3, Jul 27–Aug 17	Apr 4–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 31–Apr 21	Mar 27–30, Apr 22–May 8	Feb 10–Mar 3	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 13–27, Aug 11–Sep 1	Mar 28–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Mar 24–Apr 11, Aug 11–Sep 16	Mar 20–23, Apr 12–May 2, Jul 12–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Apr 10–May 7	May 8–Jun 5	Feb 20–Mar 19	Set out plants
Cilantro	Mar 27–Apr 11, Aug 3–Sep 8	Apr 12–May 7, Jul 7–Aug 2	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 19–Jul 17	May 22–Jun 18	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Jun 7–21, Jul 16–27	Jun 22–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 27–Apr 3, Aug 12–Sep 2	Apr 4–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 6–20, Aug 5–26	May 21–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Apr 10–May 9, Aug 5–Sep 14	May 10–Jun 10, Jun 27–Aug 4	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Apr 3–May 1	May 2–29	Feb 13–Mar 13	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Apr 10–May 7	May 8–Jun 5	Feb 20–Mar 19	Set out plants
Lavender	Apr 17–May 3	May 4–Jun 5	Jan 30–Feb 15	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 9–30	Mar 27–Apr 8, May 1–8	Mar 5–26	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 16–Jun 9	Apr 21–May 15	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 18–Jul 5	Jun 7–17, Jul 6–12	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 27–Apr 17	Apr 18–May 8	Feb 6–27	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 16–Jun 9	Apr 21–May 15	Mar 28–Apr 21	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 5–26	Mar 27–Apr 4, Apr 27–May 8	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Apr 12–May 7	Apr 10–11, May 8–Jun 5	Feb 22–Mar 19	Set out plants
Papalo	May 22–Jun 5	Jun 6–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Mar 20–Apr 3, Jul 27–Aug 17	Apr 4–Jul 26	Jan 16–30, May 25–Jun 15	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 21–Jun 5	Apr 17–May 20	Mar 5–20	Set out plants
Sage	Apr 5–May 3	Apr 3–4, May 4–29	Feb 15–Mar 15	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 6–13	May 14–Aug 8	Apr 1–8	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Mar 25–Apr 22	Mar 20–24, Apr 23–May 15	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 13–Jul 7	May 22–Jun 12, Jul 8–10	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 21–May 5	May 6–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Apr 10–May 8	May 9–Jun 5	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Apr 10–May 1	May 2–Jun 5	Feb 13–Mar 6	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Jun 3–Jul 1	May 6–Jun 2	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Apr 10–May 8	May 9–Jun 5	Feb 20–Mar 20	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 10–27	Mar 28–May 12	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 10–20	Mar 21–May 26	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 22–Jun 5, Jun 27–Jul 17	Jun 6–26	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 6–20	May 21–Aug 1	Apr 1–15	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 13–Apr 10	Apr 11–24	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 6–20	May 21–Aug 6	Mar 18–Apr 1	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 13–27	Mar 28–May 8	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 23–Apr 20	Mar 13–22, Apr 21–May 8	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 22–Jun 5, Jun 24–Jul 15	Jun 6–23	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 12–Aug 7	May 6–Jun 11, Aug 8–26	Apr 3–May 29	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 18–Apr 21, Jul 16–Aug 29	Mar 13–17, Apr 22–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 4–Jul 29	Apr 10–Jun 3	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 28–May 1, Jul 25–Sep 13	Mar 27, May 2–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 18–Apr 21, Jul 16–Aug 29	Mar 13–17, Apr 22–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Jun 7–14, Jun 29–Jul 19	Jun 15–28	Apr 19–26, May 11–31	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 8–Jul 19	May 6–Jun 7, Jul 20–27	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 17–Apr 9, Jun 19–Aug 7	Mar 13–16, Apr 10–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 14–Jul 22	May 22–Jun 13, Jul 23–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 14–Jul 22	May 22–Jun 13, Jul 23–Aug 6	Apr 26–Jun 3	Set out plants
Larkspur	Feb 27–Mar 20	Mar 21–Apr 26	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 12–Aug 4	May 6–Jun 11, Aug 5–21	Apr 24–Jun 16	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 1–24	Apr 10–30, May 25–Jun 5	Mar 27–Apr 19	Set out plants
Nasturtium	May 7–21, Jul 9–Aug 26	Apr 21–May 6, May 22–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 27–Mar 20, Sep 8–28	Mar 21–May 23, Jul 19–Sep 7	Jun 23–Jul 13, Dec 12–Jan 2	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 29–Aug 6	Jun 7–28, Aug 7–22	Apr 27–Jun 4	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Apr 13–May 11	Apr 10–12, May 12–Jun 5	Jan 26–Feb 23	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 13–27, Jul 17–Aug 7	Mar 28–Apr 27, Jun 3–Jul 16	Jan 9–23, May 15–Jun 5	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 10–24, Jul 28–Aug 18	Apr 25–Jul 27	Feb 6–20, May 26–Jun 16	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 27–Apr 10, Aug 26–Sep 16	Apr 11–May 25, Jul 12–Aug 25	Jan 23–Feb 6, Jun 24–Jul 15	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 21–May 5, Aug 5–25	May 6–Aug 4	Mar 3–17, Jun 17–Jul 7	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 10–Jul 18	May 6–Jun 9, Jul 19–22	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 27–May 3, Jul 26–Sep 15	Mar 20–26, May 4–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 3–31	Apr 1–May 3	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 15–Jul 24	May 22–Jun 14, Jul 25–Aug 8	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Chicago

These need a climate Chicago doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Fig: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 22°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 209 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 209 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 209 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 20°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 209 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 209 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Milwaukee, WI 83 mi · last frost around Apr 26
Indianapolis, IN 164 mi · last frost around Apr 20
Detroit, MI 238 mi · last frost around Apr 21
Columbus, OH 276 mi · last frost around Apr 20
Des Moines, IA 308 mi · last frost around Apr 18
All Illinois cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Chicago Northerly Island station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).