Planting Calendar for ZIP 62841
Based on your local frost dates - last spring frost around Apr 4, first fall frost around Oct 27 - here is when to plant 79 common crops near ZIP 62841.
Last spring frost
Apr 4
First fall frost
Oct 27
Hardiness zone
7a
Vegetables
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peppers | Feb 7 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | Aug 19 |
| Zucchini | Mar 14 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | Aug 24 |
| Summer Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | - |
| Pumpkins | Mar 14 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | - |
| Green Beans | - | Apr 4 (Direct sow) | Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | - | Apr 11 (Direct sow) | - |
| Melons | Mar 14 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Watermelon | Mar 14 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Okra | - | Apr 18 (Direct sow) | - |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 | Mar 7 (Transplant out) | Aug 24 |
| Spinach | - | Feb 21 (Direct sow) | Aug 29 |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Mar 14 (Transplant out) | Aug 19 |
| Peas | - | Feb 21 (Direct sow) | Aug 14 |
| Carrots | - | Mar 14 (Direct sow) | Aug 4 |
| Beets | - | Mar 7 (Direct sow) | Aug 19 |
| Radishes | - | Mar 7 (Direct sow) | Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 | Mar 14 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Onions | Jan 24 | Mar 7 (Transplant out) | - |
| Potatoes | - | Mar 21 (Direct sow) | - |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 7 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Aug 19 |
| Sweet Potatoes | - | Apr 25 (Direct sow) | - |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 21 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Jul 5 |
| Celery | Jan 24 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | - |
| Leeks | Jan 24 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Jun 15 |
| Turnips | - | Mar 21 (Direct sow) | Aug 24 |
| Rutabaga | - | Apr 4 (Direct sow) | Jul 10 |
| Parsnips | - | Mar 21 (Direct sow) | Jun 15 |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 7 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Aug 19 |
| Collard Greens | Feb 21 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Aug 9 |
| Mustard Greens | - | Mar 21 (Direct sow) | Aug 29 |
| Arugula | - | Mar 21 (Direct sow) | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 7 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Aug 24 |
| Green Onions | - | Mar 21 (Direct sow) | Aug 14 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 21 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fennel | Mar 7 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Jul 25 |
| Popcorn | Apr 4 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Black-Eyed Peas | Apr 4 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | Jul 25 |
| Lima Beans | Apr 4 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Edamame | Apr 4 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Peanuts | Apr 4 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Globe Artichoke | Feb 7 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Jul 15 |
| Horseradish | Apr 4 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | - |
| Ground Cherries | Feb 21 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Radicchio | Feb 28 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Aug 4 |
| Endive | Feb 28 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Jul 15 |
| Watercress | Mar 14 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Aug 14 |
| Sorrel | Feb 21 | Mar 14 (Transplant out) | Aug 14 |
| Sunchokes | Apr 4 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | - |
| Malabar Spinach | Feb 21 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Amaranth Greens | Mar 14 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | Aug 29 |
| Luffa Gourd | Feb 21 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| New Zealand Spinach | Mar 7 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Fava Beans | Apr 4 | Mar 7 (Transplant out) | Jul 20 |
| Chayote | Mar 7 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Corn Salad | Apr 4 | Mar 7 (Transplant out) | Aug 14 |
| Bitter Melon | Mar 7 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cardoon | Feb 21 | Apr 4 (Transplant out) | - |
Herbs
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outside | Fall planting by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Feb 21 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | - |
| Cilantro | - | Mar 21 (Direct sow) | Aug 24 |
| Parsley | Feb 7 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | Jul 30 |
| Dill | - | Apr 11 (Direct sow) | Aug 14 |
| Lemon Balm | Feb 21 | Apr 4 (Transplant out) | - |
| Borage | Apr 4 | Apr 4 (Transplant out) | Aug 19 |
| Chervil | Apr 4 | Mar 14 (Transplant out) | Aug 19 |
| Lemongrass | Feb 7 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Summer Savory | Feb 21 | Apr 4 (Transplant out) | - |
| Marjoram | Feb 21 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | - |
| Lovage | Feb 21 | Apr 4 (Transplant out) | Jul 15 |
| Anise Hyssop | Feb 7 | Apr 4 (Transplant out) | - |
| Shiso | Feb 21 | Apr 11 (Transplant out) | - |
| Stevia | Feb 7 | Apr 18 (Transplant out) | - |
| Chamomile | Feb 21 | Mar 21 (Transplant out) | Aug 9 |
| Tarragon | Apr 4 | Apr 4 (Transplant out) | - |
How to read this calendar
Start seeds indoors is when to sow in trays inside so seedlings are ready to transplant. Plant outside is when to transplant seedlings or direct-sow seed, based on frost tolerance. Fall planting by is the latest date to start a fall crop and still harvest before the first fall frost. Tender crops wait until after the last spring frost; hardy crops can go out earlier.
Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals at Rend Lake Dam, Il, 12.6 miles away. Averages for planning, not a forecast. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.