When to plant carrots in Illinois
Sow outdoors in Chicago
Mar 20–Apr 24
Across Illinois the window opens between March 14 and April 10. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.
- Sow outdoors, Chicago
- Mar 20–Apr 24
- Fall planting, Chicago
- Aug 13–Aug 27
- Last frost, Chicago
- Apr 10
Sow outdoors from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 10–12 weeks before the first frost. Keep the seedbed moist until carrots come up. They can take two to three weeks to sprout.
Carrots planting dates by city
Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
ChicagoMar 20–Apr 24
AuroraMar 29–May 3
NapervilleApr 7–May 12
JolietMar 29–May 3
RockfordApr 3–May 8
ElginApr 5–May 10
SpringfieldMar 25–Apr 29
PeoriaMar 26–Apr 30
ChampaignMar 25–Apr 29
WaukeganApr 9–May 14
CiceroMar 21–Apr 25
BloomingtonApr 4–May 9
SchaumburgApr 9–May 14
EvanstonApr 5–May 10
Arlington HeightsMar 29–May 3
BolingbrookMar 30–May 4
DecaturMar 24–Apr 28
SkokieApr 5–May 10
PalatineApr 4–May 9
Des PlainesMar 26–Apr 30
Orland ParkMar 29–May 3
Oak LawnMar 20–Apr 24
Mount ProspectMar 29–May 3
Tinley ParkApr 2–May 7
BerwynMar 21–Apr 25
WheatonApr 7–May 12
NormalApr 4–May 9
Oak ParkMar 21–Apr 25
Hoffman EstatesApr 9–May 14
Downers GroveApr 7–May 12
All 121 cities
| City | Sow outdoors | Fall planting | Last frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Mar 20 to Apr 24 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 10 |
| Aurora | Mar 29 to May 3 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 19 |
| Naperville | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Joliet | Mar 29 to May 3 | Aug 2 to Aug 16 | Apr 19 |
| Rockford | Apr 3 to May 8 | Jul 25 to Aug 8 | Apr 24 |
| Elgin | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 26 |
| Springfield | Mar 25 to Apr 29 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 15 |
| Peoria | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 16 |
| Champaign | Mar 25 to Apr 29 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 | Apr 15 |
| Waukegan | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 30 |
| Cicero | Mar 21 to Apr 25 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 11 |
| Bloomington | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 25 |
| Schaumburg | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| Evanston | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Arlington Heights | Mar 29 to May 3 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 19 |
| Bolingbrook | Mar 30 to May 4 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Decatur | Mar 24 to Apr 28 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 | Apr 14 |
| Skokie | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Palatine | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 25 |
| Des Plaines | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Orland Park | Mar 29 to May 3 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 19 |
| Oak Lawn | Mar 20 to Apr 24 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 10 |
| Mount Prospect | Mar 29 to May 3 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 19 |
| Tinley Park | Apr 2 to May 7 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Berwyn | Mar 21 to Apr 25 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 11 |
| Wheaton | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Normal | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 25 |
| Oak Park | Mar 21 to Apr 25 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 11 |
| Hoffman Estates | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| Downers Grove | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Plainfield | Mar 30 to May 4 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Glenview | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Elmhurst | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Lombard | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Buffalo Grove | Mar 29 to May 3 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 19 |
| Moline | Apr 3 to May 8 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 24 |
| Crystal Lake | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 25 |
| Romeoville | Mar 30 to May 4 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Bartlett | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| DeKalb | Apr 3 to May 8 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 24 |
| Belleville | Mar 22 to Apr 26 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 12 |
| Oswego | Mar 29 to May 3 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 19 |
| Urbana | Mar 25 to Apr 29 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 | Apr 15 |
| Carol Stream | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 25 |
| Quincy | Mar 18 to Apr 22 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 8 |
| Park Ridge | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Wheeling | Mar 29 to May 3 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 19 |
| Streamwood | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| Carpentersville | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 26 |
| Hanover Park | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| Rock Island | Apr 3 to May 8 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 24 |
| Addison | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Calumet City | Apr 2 to May 7 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Northbrook | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| North Chicago | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 30 |
| Woodridge | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| St. Charles | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 25 |
| Mundelein | Apr 8 to May 13 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 29 |
| O'Fallon | Mar 22 to Apr 26 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 12 |
| Glendale Heights | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Elk Grove Village | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Pekin | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 16 |
| Algonquin | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 26 |
| Highland Park | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Gurnee | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 30 |
| Niles | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| McHenry | Apr 10 to May 15 | Jul 19 to Aug 2 | May 1 |
| Huntley | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 25 |
| New Lenox | Mar 29 to May 3 | Aug 2 to Aug 16 | Apr 19 |
| Glen Ellyn | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Lake in the Hills | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 25 |
| Galesburg | Mar 30 to May 4 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 20 |
| Burbank | Mar 20 to Apr 24 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 10 |
| Danville | Mar 31 to May 5 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 21 |
| Lansing | Apr 2 to May 7 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Lockport | Mar 30 to May 4 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Wilmette | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Round Lake Beach | Apr 3 to May 8 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 24 |
| Vernon Hills | Apr 8 to May 13 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 29 |
| Granite City | Mar 14 to Apr 18 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 4 |
| Oak Forest | Apr 2 to May 7 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Yorkville | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 28 |
| Batavia | Mar 29 to May 3 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 19 |
| Chicago Heights | Apr 2 to May 7 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Edwardsville | Mar 14 to Apr 18 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 4 |
| Woodstock | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 25 |
| South Elgin | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 26 |
| Belvidere | Apr 3 to May 8 | Jul 25 to Aug 8 | Apr 24 |
| West Chicago | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 25 |
| Alton | Mar 14 to Apr 18 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 4 |
| Homer Glen | Mar 30 to May 4 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Morton Grove | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Zion | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 30 |
| Westmont | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Melrose Park | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Collinsville | Mar 18 to Apr 22 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 8 |
| Loves Park | Apr 3 to May 8 | Jul 25 to Aug 8 | Apr 24 |
| Rolling Meadows | Mar 29 to May 3 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 19 |
| Elmwood Park | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Lisle | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Kankakee | Mar 29 to May 3 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 | Apr 19 |
| Maywood | Mar 21 to Apr 25 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 11 |
| Freeport | Apr 5 to May 10 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 26 |
| Machesney Park | Apr 10 to May 15 | Jul 20 to Aug 3 | May 1 |
| Roselle | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| Bloomingdale | Apr 9 to May 14 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| East Peoria | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 16 |
| Darien | Mar 29 to May 3 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 19 |
| Montgomery | Mar 29 to May 3 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 19 |
| Villa Park | Apr 7 to May 12 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Carbondale | Mar 19 to Apr 23 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 9 |
| Blue Island | Mar 20 to Apr 24 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 10 |
| Frankfort | Apr 2 to May 7 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Grayslake | Apr 8 to May 13 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 29 |
| Geneva | Apr 4 to May 9 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 25 |
| Park Forest | Apr 2 to May 7 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| South Holland | Apr 2 to May 7 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Libertyville | Apr 8 to May 13 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 29 |
| Crest Hill | Mar 30 to May 4 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Dolton | Apr 2 to May 7 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| East Moline | Mar 26 to Apr 30 | Aug 2 to Aug 16 | Apr 16 |
Questions
When should I plant carrots in Illinois?
In Chicago, sow outdoors from March 20 to April 24. Across Illinois the window opens between March 14 and April 10, depending on the local last frost.
How is this date worked out?
Sow outdoors from 3 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 10–12 weeks before the first frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.
More for Illinois
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Potatoes
Tulip bulbs
Garlic
Pumpkins
Strawberries
Onions
Sunflowers
Cucumbers
Daffodil bulbs
Corn
Sweet potatoes
Asparagus
Watermelon
Lettuce
Green beans
Carrots in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
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- Kentucky
- Louisiana
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