When to plant beets in Illinois
Sow outdoors in Chicago
Mar 13–Apr 24
Across Illinois the window opens between March 7 and April 3. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.
- Sow outdoors, Chicago
- Mar 13–Apr 24
- Fall planting, Chicago
- Aug 27–Sep 10
- Last frost, Chicago
- Apr 10
Sow outdoors from 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 8–10 weeks before the first frost. Each beet seed is a cluster that gives several seedlings. Thin them to 3 inches apart.
Beets planting dates by city
Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
ChicagoMar 13–Apr 24
AuroraMar 22–May 3
NapervilleMar 31–May 12
JolietMar 22–May 3
RockfordMar 27–May 8
ElginMar 29–May 10
SpringfieldMar 18–Apr 29
PeoriaMar 19–Apr 30
ChampaignMar 18–Apr 29
WaukeganApr 2–May 14
CiceroMar 14–Apr 25
BloomingtonMar 28–May 9
SchaumburgApr 2–May 14
EvanstonMar 29–May 10
Arlington HeightsMar 22–May 3
BolingbrookMar 23–May 4
DecaturMar 17–Apr 28
SkokieMar 29–May 10
PalatineMar 28–May 9
Des PlainesMar 19–Apr 30
Orland ParkMar 22–May 3
Oak LawnMar 13–Apr 24
Mount ProspectMar 22–May 3
Tinley ParkMar 26–May 7
BerwynMar 14–Apr 25
WheatonMar 31–May 12
NormalMar 28–May 9
Oak ParkMar 14–Apr 25
Hoffman EstatesApr 2–May 14
Downers GroveMar 31–May 12
All 121 cities
| City | Sow outdoors | Fall planting | Last frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Mar 13 to Apr 24 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 10 |
| Aurora | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 14 to Aug 28 | Apr 19 |
| Naperville | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 28 |
| Joliet | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 16 to Aug 30 | Apr 19 |
| Rockford | Mar 27 to May 8 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 24 |
| Elgin | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 26 |
| Springfield | Mar 18 to Apr 29 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 15 |
| Peoria | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 14 to Aug 28 | Apr 16 |
| Champaign | Mar 18 to Apr 29 | Aug 15 to Aug 29 | Apr 15 |
| Waukegan | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 10 to Aug 24 | Apr 30 |
| Cicero | Mar 14 to Apr 25 | Aug 22 to Sep 5 | Apr 11 |
| Bloomington | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 25 |
| Schaumburg | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 4 to Aug 18 | Apr 30 |
| Evanston | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 12 to Aug 26 | Apr 26 |
| Arlington Heights | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 17 to Aug 31 | Apr 19 |
| Bolingbrook | Mar 23 to May 4 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 20 |
| Decatur | Mar 17 to Apr 28 | Aug 15 to Aug 29 | Apr 14 |
| Skokie | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 12 to Aug 26 | Apr 26 |
| Palatine | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 10 to Aug 24 | Apr 25 |
| Des Plaines | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 19 to Sep 2 | Apr 16 |
| Orland Park | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 19 |
| Oak Lawn | Mar 13 to Apr 24 | Aug 23 to Sep 6 | Apr 10 |
| Mount Prospect | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 17 to Aug 31 | Apr 19 |
| Tinley Park | Mar 26 to May 7 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 23 |
| Berwyn | Mar 14 to Apr 25 | Aug 22 to Sep 5 | Apr 11 |
| Wheaton | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 28 |
| Normal | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 25 |
| Oak Park | Mar 14 to Apr 25 | Aug 22 to Sep 5 | Apr 11 |
| Hoffman Estates | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 4 to Aug 18 | Apr 30 |
| Downers Grove | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 28 |
| Plainfield | Mar 23 to May 4 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 20 |
| Glenview | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 12 to Aug 26 | Apr 26 |
| Elmhurst | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 19 to Sep 2 | Apr 16 |
| Lombard | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 28 |
| Buffalo Grove | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 17 to Aug 31 | Apr 19 |
| Moline | Mar 27 to May 8 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 24 |
| Crystal Lake | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 25 |
| Romeoville | Mar 23 to May 4 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 20 |
| Bartlett | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 4 to Aug 18 | Apr 30 |
| DeKalb | Mar 27 to May 8 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 24 |
| Belleville | Mar 15 to Apr 26 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 12 |
| Oswego | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 14 to Aug 28 | Apr 19 |
| Urbana | Mar 18 to Apr 29 | Aug 15 to Aug 29 | Apr 15 |
| Carol Stream | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 10 to Aug 24 | Apr 25 |
| Quincy | Mar 11 to Apr 22 | Aug 21 to Sep 4 | Apr 8 |
| Park Ridge | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 19 to Sep 2 | Apr 16 |
| Wheeling | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 17 to Aug 31 | Apr 19 |
| Streamwood | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 4 to Aug 18 | Apr 30 |
| Carpentersville | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 26 |
| Hanover Park | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 4 to Aug 18 | Apr 30 |
| Rock Island | Mar 27 to May 8 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 24 |
| Addison | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 19 to Sep 2 | Apr 16 |
| Calumet City | Mar 26 to May 7 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 23 |
| Northbrook | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 12 to Aug 26 | Apr 26 |
| North Chicago | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 10 to Aug 24 | Apr 30 |
| Woodridge | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 28 |
| St. Charles | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 10 to Aug 24 | Apr 25 |
| Mundelein | Apr 1 to May 13 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 29 |
| O'Fallon | Mar 15 to Apr 26 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 12 |
| Glendale Heights | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 28 |
| Elk Grove Village | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 19 to Sep 2 | Apr 16 |
| Pekin | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 14 to Aug 28 | Apr 16 |
| Algonquin | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 26 |
| Highland Park | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 12 to Aug 26 | Apr 26 |
| Gurnee | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 10 to Aug 24 | Apr 30 |
| Niles | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 19 to Sep 2 | Apr 16 |
| McHenry | Apr 3 to May 15 | Aug 2 to Aug 16 | May 1 |
| Huntley | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 25 |
| New Lenox | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 16 to Aug 30 | Apr 19 |
| Glen Ellyn | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 28 |
| Lake in the Hills | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 25 |
| Galesburg | Mar 23 to May 4 | Aug 10 to Aug 24 | Apr 20 |
| Burbank | Mar 13 to Apr 24 | Aug 23 to Sep 6 | Apr 10 |
| Danville | Mar 24 to May 5 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 21 |
| Lansing | Mar 26 to May 7 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 23 |
| Lockport | Mar 23 to May 4 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 20 |
| Wilmette | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 12 to Aug 26 | Apr 26 |
| Round Lake Beach | Mar 27 to May 8 | Aug 14 to Aug 28 | Apr 24 |
| Vernon Hills | Apr 1 to May 13 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 29 |
| Granite City | Mar 7 to Apr 18 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 4 |
| Oak Forest | Mar 26 to May 7 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 23 |
| Yorkville | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 4 to Aug 18 | Apr 28 |
| Batavia | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 14 to Aug 28 | Apr 19 |
| Chicago Heights | Mar 26 to May 7 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 23 |
| Edwardsville | Mar 7 to Apr 18 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 4 |
| Woodstock | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 25 |
| South Elgin | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 26 |
| Belvidere | Mar 27 to May 8 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 24 |
| West Chicago | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 10 to Aug 24 | Apr 25 |
| Alton | Mar 7 to Apr 18 | Aug 27 to Sep 10 | Apr 4 |
| Homer Glen | Mar 23 to May 4 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 20 |
| Morton Grove | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 12 to Aug 26 | Apr 26 |
| Zion | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 12 to Aug 26 | Apr 30 |
| Westmont | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 28 |
| Melrose Park | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 19 to Sep 2 | Apr 16 |
| Collinsville | Mar 11 to Apr 22 | Aug 17 to Aug 31 | Apr 8 |
| Loves Park | Mar 27 to May 8 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 24 |
| Rolling Meadows | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 17 to Aug 31 | Apr 19 |
| Elmwood Park | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 19 to Sep 2 | Apr 16 |
| Lisle | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 28 |
| Kankakee | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 15 to Aug 29 | Apr 19 |
| Maywood | Mar 14 to Apr 25 | Aug 22 to Sep 5 | Apr 11 |
| Freeport | Mar 29 to May 10 | Aug 4 to Aug 18 | Apr 26 |
| Machesney Park | Apr 3 to May 15 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | May 1 |
| Roselle | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 4 to Aug 18 | Apr 30 |
| Bloomingdale | Apr 2 to May 14 | Aug 4 to Aug 18 | Apr 30 |
| East Peoria | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 14 to Aug 28 | Apr 16 |
| Darien | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 19 |
| Montgomery | Mar 22 to May 3 | Aug 14 to Aug 28 | Apr 19 |
| Villa Park | Mar 31 to May 12 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 28 |
| Carbondale | Mar 12 to Apr 23 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 9 |
| Blue Island | Mar 13 to Apr 24 | Aug 23 to Sep 6 | Apr 10 |
| Frankfort | Mar 26 to May 7 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 23 |
| Grayslake | Apr 1 to May 13 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 29 |
| Geneva | Mar 28 to May 9 | Aug 10 to Aug 24 | Apr 25 |
| Park Forest | Mar 26 to May 7 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 23 |
| South Holland | Mar 26 to May 7 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 23 |
| Libertyville | Apr 1 to May 13 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 29 |
| Crest Hill | Mar 23 to May 4 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 20 |
| Dolton | Mar 26 to May 7 | Aug 11 to Aug 25 | Apr 23 |
| East Moline | Mar 19 to Apr 30 | Aug 16 to Aug 30 | Apr 16 |
Questions
When should I plant beets in Illinois?
In Chicago, sow outdoors from March 13 to April 24. Across Illinois the window opens between March 7 and April 3, depending on the local last frost.
How is this date worked out?
Sow outdoors from 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 8–10 weeks before the first frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.
More for Illinois
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Tulip bulbs
Garlic
Pumpkins
Strawberries
Onions
Carrots
Sunflowers
Cucumbers
Daffodil bulbs
Corn
Sweet potatoes
Asparagus
Watermelon
Lettuce
Beets in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming