illinois · Crop calendar

illinois planting calendar.

Spring and fall planting windows for 18 crops in illinois. Extension-verified where available, USDA-sourced otherwise.

corn
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Corn is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 18 earliest · April 25–May 16 ideal · May 30 latest
Wait for 50°F at 2-inch soil depth — typically 1 week after last frost in northern states; close to last frost in southern states.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
soybeans
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Soybeans is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 25 earliest · May 9–May 30 ideal · June 14 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp at 2-inch depth. Soybeans planted into colder soil emerge slowly and are vulnerable to seed rot.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
winter_wheat
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Winter Wheat is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Fall
September 24 earliest · October 8–October 29 ideal · November 12 latest
Plant 6-8 weeks before first hard freeze for adequate fall tillering. Hessian fly free dates often dictate exact timing.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cotton
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Cotton can be grown in Illinois with attention to season length and variety selection — primarily a specialty or experimental crop here.
Spring
May 2 earliest · May 9–May 30 ideal · June 20 latest
Wait for 65°F minimum soil temp at 2-inch depth, sustained for 3-5 days. Cotton emerges very slowly below this threshold.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
grain_sorghum
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Grain Sorghum is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 9 earliest · May 16–June 13 ideal · July 4 latest
Wait for 65°F minimum soil temp. Sorghum is heat-loving and tolerates planting up to 2 months after corn.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
sunflowers
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Sunflowers is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 18 earliest · May 2–May 30 ideal · June 20 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp. Sunflowers tolerate light frost in seedling stage but not after stem elongation.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
tomatoes
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Tomatoes is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 2 earliest · May 9–May 30 ideal · June 20 latest
Transplant after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Garden centers typically have transplants 1-2 weeks before this window.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
sweet_corn
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Sweet Corn is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 18 earliest · April 25–May 30 ideal · June 20 latest
Wait for 55°F at 2-inch depth. Succession plant every 10-14 days for extended harvest.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
potatoes
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Potatoes is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 4 earliest · April 11–May 2 ideal · May 16 latest
Plant when soil reaches 45°F at 4-inch depth — often 2-4 weeks before last frost. Cool-season crop.
Fall
July 17 earliest · August 1–August 16 ideal · August 31 latest
Plant when soil reaches 45°F at 4-inch depth — often 2-4 weeks before last frost. Cool-season crop.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
peppers
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Peppers is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 9 earliest · May 16–June 6 ideal · June 27 latest
Transplant when soil reaches 65°F at 2-inch depth — typically 2 weeks after last frost. Peppers are even more cold-sensitive than tomatoes.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cucumbers
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Cucumbers is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 2 earliest · May 9–June 13 ideal · July 4 latest
Direct seed when soil reaches 60°F at 2-inch depth. Cool soils slow germination dramatically.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
pumpkins
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Pumpkins is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 9 earliest · May 16–June 13 ideal · June 27 latest
Direct seed when soil reaches 60°F. Plan harvest date first — count back 90-110 days from desired harvest.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
alfalfa
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Alfalfa is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 4 earliest · April 18–May 16 ideal · June 6 latest
Spring seeding: cool-season germination at 45°F+. Fall seeding: 60-90 days before first hard freeze for establishment.
Fall
August 1 earliest · August 16–August 31 ideal · September 15 latest
Spring seeding: cool-season germination at 45°F+. Fall seeding: 60-90 days before first hard freeze for establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
clover
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Clover is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 21 earliest · April 4–May 2 ideal · May 23 latest
Frost-seed onto frozen ground in late winter for natural soil incorporation. Fall-seed in southern states for over-winter establishment.
Fall
August 1 earliest · August 16–August 31 ideal · September 15 latest
Frost-seed onto frozen ground in late winter for natural soil incorporation. Fall-seed in southern states for over-winter establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
brassicas
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Brassicas is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Fall
July 17 earliest · August 1–August 16 ideal · August 31 latest
Late summer planting for fall food plot — 60-90 days before first hard frost provides peak forage value before deer season.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
winter_rye
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Winter Rye is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Fall
September 24 earliest · October 8–October 29 ideal · November 12 latest
Most cold-tolerant cereal — germinates at 38°F. Plant 4-6 weeks before first hard freeze for maximum fall establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cereal_oats
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Cereal Oats is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 4 earliest · April 18–May 16 ideal · June 6 latest
Spring oats: plant as soon as soil can be worked. Fall oats: 60-75 days before first hard freeze — winter-killed in northern states.
Fall
August 1 earliest · August 16–August 31 ideal · September 17 latest
Spring oats: plant as soon as soil can be worked. Fall oats: 60-75 days before first hard freeze — winter-killed in northern states.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
buckwheat
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Buckwheat is widely grown in Illinois — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 30 earliest · June 20–July 18 ideal · August 8 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp. Plant summer for 70-90 day cover crop or food plot rotation.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.

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