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Chicago, Illinois · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Chicago

This month's sowing list for Chicago, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

October

5 vegetables to sow or plant now

5 of them are at their best time to start. The last frost is usually around April 24, and frost is unlikely after about April 29.

Sow or plant in Chicago in October

Start seeds indoors

Nothing this month.

Direct sow

  • Fava beans

Transplant

  • Cabbage
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Strawberry

Last month to start: cabbage, fava beans and strawberry.

Ready to pick in October

  • Arugula
  • Beets
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Bush beans
  • Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • Cauliflower
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Cucumber
  • Dill
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Parsley
  • Pole beans
  • Radish
  • Runner beans
  • Scallions
  • Strawberry
  • Sweet corn
  • Swiss chard
  • Tomato
  • Turnip
  • Winter squash
  • Zucchini

Coming up in November

Nothing new starts in November. This month's list carries on.

When to plant the favourites in Chicago

Tomato

Tomatoes

Start seeds indoors: March to May.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 16 weeks after starting.

Potato

Potatoes

Plant: April to June.

Best time to start: April.

Pick: July to September and November.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Garlic

Plant: September to November.

Best time to start: September to November.

Pick: June to August.

First pick about 35 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Lettuce

Direct sow: March to May and August to September.

Best time to start: March to May and August to September.

Pick: June to July and October to December.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Carrot

Carrots

Direct sow: April to August.

Best time to start: April to May and July to August.

Pick: June to December.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Bush beans

Direct sow: May to August.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Onion

Onions

Start seeds indoors: February to March and July to September.

Transplant: April to May and September to November.

Best time to start: April to May and September to November.

Pick: June to August.

First pick about 23 weeks after starting.

Strawberry

Strawberries

Plant: April to May and October.

Best time to start: April to May and October.

Pick: July to November.

First pick about 15 weeks after starting.

Winter squash

Winter squash

Start seeds indoors: April to June.

Direct sow: May to June.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 13 weeks after starting.

Zucchini

Zucchini

Start seeds indoors: April to July.

Direct sow: May to August.

Transplant: May to August.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: June to October.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Chicago

VegetableONDJFMAMJJASFirst pick
ArugulaSSSSSabout 4 weeks
BasilTPSSPabout 7 weeks
BeetsSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
Bell pepperTTPPPabout 16 weeks
Bok choySSSSSSabout 4 weeks
BroccoliTPTPPabout 12 weeks
Brussels sproutsTPabout 18 weeks
Bush beansSSSSabout 7 weeks
CabbagePTPPTPPPabout 14 weeks
CantaloupeTSSabout 10 weeks
CarrotSSSSSabout 7 weeks
CauliflowerTPabout 14 weeks
CeleriacTPabout 20 weeks
CeleryTPPabout 20 weeks
ChivesTSSSSSPabout 7 weeks
CilantroSSabout 6 weeks
CucumberTSSSSabout 6 weeks
DillSSSSabout 5 weeks
EggplantTPPPabout 17 weeks
Fava beansSabout 32 weeks
GarlicPPPabout 35 weeks
Hot pepperTTPPPabout 18 weeks
KaleTSSSSSabout 6 weeks
LeekTTPPabout 19 weeks
LettuceSSSSSabout 7 weeks
OkraSSabout 7 weeks
OnionPPTTPPTTPabout 23 weeks
ParsleyTSSSSSPabout 7 weeks
PeasSSabout 10 weeks
Pole beansSSSabout 8 weeks
PotatoPPPabout 9 weeks
RadishSSSSSSSabout 3 weeks
Runner beansSabout 9 weeks
ScallionsSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
SpinachSSSabout 7 weeks
StrawberryPPPabout 15 weeks
Sweet cornTSSSabout 9 weeks
Sweet potatoPabout 12 weeks
Swiss chardSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
TomatoTTPPPabout 16 weeks
TurnipSSSabout 7 weeks
WatermelonTSPabout 10 weeks
Winter squashTSSPabout 13 weeks
ZucchiniTSSSSabout 7 weeks

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety of: celeriac.

Chicago season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: arugula, basil, beets, bell pepper, bok choy, broccoli, bush beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, celeriac, celery, chives, cilantro, cucumber, dill, eggplant, hot pepper, kale, lettuce, parsley, peas, pole beans, potato, radish, scallions, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Last chance for: arugula, broccoli, celeriac, celery, cilantro, dill, kale, leek, lettuce, onion, peas, spinach, strawberry and turnip.

Summer June to August

Time to start: arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, dill, kale, lettuce, okra, onion, runner beans, sweet potato and turnip.

Last chance for: basil, bell pepper, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cantaloupe, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, hot pepper, okra, pole beans, potato, runner beans, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Fall September to November

Time to start: cilantro, fava beans, garlic, spinach and strawberry.

Last chance for: arugula, beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, chives, cilantro, dill, fava beans, garlic, kale, lettuce, onion, parsley, radish, scallions, spinach, strawberry, Swiss chard and turnip.

Winter December to February

Time to start: celeriac, celery, leek and onion.

Last chance for: celeriac and celery.

Frost in Chicago

Last frost, most years
around April 24
Frost is unlikely after
about April 29
First frost, most years
around October 30
Frost-free days in a year
about 189

The end of frost is not planting time. Tender plants also need warm nights, which usually come two to four weeks later, and a week or two of hardening off first, so go by the months for each vegetable above. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, zucchini, winter squash and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Harder to grow in Chicago

Needs a greenhouse or a warm, sheltered spot: parsnip and rutabaga.

Questions about planting in Chicago

What can I plant now in Chicago?

In October, 5 vegetables can be sown or planted in Chicago, including cabbage, fava beans, garlic, onion and strawberry. The full list is at the top of this page and changes every month.

When should I plant tomatoes in Chicago?

In Chicago, sow tomatoes indoors from March to May and transplant them from May to July. The best time to start is from May to June. Picking runs from July to October.

When should I plant potatoes in Chicago?

In Chicago, plant potatoes from April to June. The best time to start is in April. Picking runs from July to September and in November.

When should I plant garlic in Chicago?

In Chicago, plant garlic from September to November. The best time to start is from September to November. Picking runs from June to August.

When is the last frost in Chicago?

In most years the last frost in Chicago comes around April 24. Frost is unlikely after about April 29, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around October 30.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Chicago?

The quick ones are radish (about 3 weeks), arugula (about 4 weeks), bok choy (about 4 weeks), beets (about 5 weeks), scallions (about 5 weeks), Swiss chard (about 5 weeks), cilantro (about 6 weeks) and cucumber (about 6 weeks). The time is from starting to the first pick.

Other cities

What to plant now in New York · What to plant now in Boston · What to plant now in Atlanta · What to plant now in Dallas · What to plant now in Houston · What to plant now in Austin · What to plant now in Denver · What to plant now in Phoenix · What to plant now in Seattle · What to plant now in Portland · What to plant now in Los Angeles · What to plant now in San Diego

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Chicago. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).

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