When to plant cauliflower in Illinois

Plant out in Chicago

Mar 27–Apr 10

Across Illinois the window opens between March 21 and April 17. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Chicago: Jan 30–Feb 13
Plant out, Chicago: Mar 27–Apr 10
Fall planting, Chicago: Aug 13–Aug 27
Last frost, Chicago: Apr 10

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost; plant out up to 2 weeks before the last frost; sow again for fall 10–12 weeks before the first frost. When heads reach the size of an egg, tie the leaves over them to keep them white.

Cauliflower planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

ChicagoMar 27–Apr 10

AuroraApr 5–Apr 19

NapervilleApr 14–Apr 28

JolietApr 5–Apr 19

RockfordApr 10–Apr 24

ElginApr 12–Apr 26

SpringfieldApr 1–Apr 15

PeoriaApr 2–Apr 16

ChampaignApr 1–Apr 15

WaukeganApr 16–Apr 30

CiceroMar 28–Apr 11

BloomingtonApr 11–Apr 25

SchaumburgApr 16–Apr 30

EvanstonApr 12–Apr 26

Arlington HeightsApr 5–Apr 19

BolingbrookApr 6–Apr 20

DecaturMar 31–Apr 14

SkokieApr 12–Apr 26

PalatineApr 11–Apr 25

Des PlainesApr 2–Apr 16

Orland ParkApr 5–Apr 19

Oak LawnMar 27–Apr 10

Mount ProspectApr 5–Apr 19

Tinley ParkApr 9–Apr 23

BerwynMar 28–Apr 11

WheatonApr 14–Apr 28

NormalApr 11–Apr 25

Oak ParkMar 28–Apr 11

Hoffman EstatesApr 16–Apr 30

Downers GroveApr 14–Apr 28

All 121 cities

City	Start indoors	Plant out	Fall planting	Last frost
Chicago	Jan 30 to Feb 13	Mar 27 to Apr 10	Aug 13 to Aug 27	Apr 10
Aurora	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Jul 31 to Aug 14	Apr 19
Naperville	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 28
Joliet	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Aug 2 to Aug 16	Apr 19
Rockford	Feb 13 to Feb 27	Apr 10 to Apr 24	Jul 25 to Aug 8	Apr 24
Elgin	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 26 to Aug 9	Apr 26
Springfield	Feb 4 to Feb 18	Apr 1 to Apr 15	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 15
Peoria	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Jul 31 to Aug 14	Apr 16
Champaign	Feb 4 to Feb 18	Apr 1 to Apr 15	Aug 1 to Aug 15	Apr 15
Waukegan	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 27 to Aug 10	Apr 30
Cicero	Jan 31 to Feb 14	Mar 28 to Apr 11	Aug 8 to Aug 22	Apr 11
Bloomington	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 25
Schaumburg	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 21 to Aug 4	Apr 30
Evanston	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 29 to Aug 12	Apr 26
Arlington Heights	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Aug 3 to Aug 17	Apr 19
Bolingbrook	Feb 9 to Feb 23	Apr 6 to Apr 20	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 20
Decatur	Feb 3 to Feb 17	Mar 31 to Apr 14	Aug 1 to Aug 15	Apr 14
Skokie	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 29 to Aug 12	Apr 26
Palatine	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 27 to Aug 10	Apr 25
Des Plaines	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Aug 5 to Aug 19	Apr 16
Orland Park	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 19
Oak Lawn	Jan 30 to Feb 13	Mar 27 to Apr 10	Aug 9 to Aug 23	Apr 10
Mount Prospect	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Aug 3 to Aug 17	Apr 19
Tinley Park	Feb 12 to Feb 26	Apr 9 to Apr 23	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 23
Berwyn	Jan 31 to Feb 14	Mar 28 to Apr 11	Aug 8 to Aug 22	Apr 11
Wheaton	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 28
Normal	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 25
Oak Park	Jan 31 to Feb 14	Mar 28 to Apr 11	Aug 8 to Aug 22	Apr 11
Hoffman Estates	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 21 to Aug 4	Apr 30
Downers Grove	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 28
Plainfield	Feb 9 to Feb 23	Apr 6 to Apr 20	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 20
Glenview	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 29 to Aug 12	Apr 26
Elmhurst	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Aug 5 to Aug 19	Apr 16
Lombard	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 28
Buffalo Grove	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Aug 3 to Aug 17	Apr 19
Moline	Feb 13 to Feb 27	Apr 10 to Apr 24	Jul 26 to Aug 9	Apr 24
Crystal Lake	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 25
Romeoville	Feb 9 to Feb 23	Apr 6 to Apr 20	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 20
Bartlett	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 21 to Aug 4	Apr 30
DeKalb	Feb 13 to Feb 27	Apr 10 to Apr 24	Jul 26 to Aug 9	Apr 24
Belleville	Feb 1 to Feb 15	Mar 29 to Apr 12	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 12
Oswego	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Jul 31 to Aug 14	Apr 19
Urbana	Feb 4 to Feb 18	Apr 1 to Apr 15	Aug 1 to Aug 15	Apr 15
Carol Stream	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 27 to Aug 10	Apr 25
Quincy	Jan 28 to Feb 11	Mar 25 to Apr 8	Aug 7 to Aug 21	Apr 8
Park Ridge	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Aug 5 to Aug 19	Apr 16
Wheeling	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Aug 3 to Aug 17	Apr 19
Streamwood	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 21 to Aug 4	Apr 30
Carpentersville	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 26 to Aug 9	Apr 26
Hanover Park	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 21 to Aug 4	Apr 30
Rock Island	Feb 13 to Feb 27	Apr 10 to Apr 24	Jul 26 to Aug 9	Apr 24
Addison	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Aug 5 to Aug 19	Apr 16
Calumet City	Feb 12 to Feb 26	Apr 9 to Apr 23	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 23
Northbrook	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 29 to Aug 12	Apr 26
North Chicago	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 27 to Aug 10	Apr 30
Woodridge	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 28
St. Charles	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 27 to Aug 10	Apr 25
Mundelein	Feb 18 to Mar 4	Apr 15 to Apr 29	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 29
O'Fallon	Feb 1 to Feb 15	Mar 29 to Apr 12	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 12
Glendale Heights	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 28
Elk Grove Village	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Aug 5 to Aug 19	Apr 16
Pekin	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Jul 31 to Aug 14	Apr 16
Algonquin	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 26 to Aug 9	Apr 26
Highland Park	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 29 to Aug 12	Apr 26
Gurnee	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 27 to Aug 10	Apr 30
Niles	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Aug 5 to Aug 19	Apr 16
McHenry	Feb 20 to Mar 6	Apr 17 to May 1	Jul 19 to Aug 2	May 1
Huntley	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 25
New Lenox	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Aug 2 to Aug 16	Apr 19
Glen Ellyn	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 28
Lake in the Hills	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 25
Galesburg	Feb 9 to Feb 23	Apr 6 to Apr 20	Jul 27 to Aug 10	Apr 20
Burbank	Jan 30 to Feb 13	Mar 27 to Apr 10	Aug 9 to Aug 23	Apr 10
Danville	Feb 10 to Feb 24	Apr 7 to Apr 21	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 21
Lansing	Feb 12 to Feb 26	Apr 9 to Apr 23	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 23
Lockport	Feb 9 to Feb 23	Apr 6 to Apr 20	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 20
Wilmette	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 29 to Aug 12	Apr 26
Round Lake Beach	Feb 13 to Feb 27	Apr 10 to Apr 24	Jul 31 to Aug 14	Apr 24
Vernon Hills	Feb 18 to Mar 4	Apr 15 to Apr 29	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 29
Granite City	Jan 24 to Feb 7	Mar 21 to Apr 4	Aug 13 to Aug 27	Apr 4
Oak Forest	Feb 12 to Feb 26	Apr 9 to Apr 23	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 23
Yorkville	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 21 to Aug 4	Apr 28
Batavia	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Jul 31 to Aug 14	Apr 19
Chicago Heights	Feb 12 to Feb 26	Apr 9 to Apr 23	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 23
Edwardsville	Jan 24 to Feb 7	Mar 21 to Apr 4	Aug 13 to Aug 27	Apr 4
Woodstock	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 25
South Elgin	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 26 to Aug 9	Apr 26
Belvidere	Feb 13 to Feb 27	Apr 10 to Apr 24	Jul 25 to Aug 8	Apr 24
West Chicago	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 27 to Aug 10	Apr 25
Alton	Jan 24 to Feb 7	Mar 21 to Apr 4	Aug 13 to Aug 27	Apr 4
Homer Glen	Feb 9 to Feb 23	Apr 6 to Apr 20	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 20
Morton Grove	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 29 to Aug 12	Apr 26
Zion	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 29 to Aug 12	Apr 30
Westmont	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 28
Melrose Park	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Aug 5 to Aug 19	Apr 16
Collinsville	Jan 28 to Feb 11	Mar 25 to Apr 8	Aug 3 to Aug 17	Apr 8
Loves Park	Feb 13 to Feb 27	Apr 10 to Apr 24	Jul 25 to Aug 8	Apr 24
Rolling Meadows	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Aug 3 to Aug 17	Apr 19
Elmwood Park	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Aug 5 to Aug 19	Apr 16
Lisle	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 28
Kankakee	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Aug 1 to Aug 15	Apr 19
Maywood	Jan 31 to Feb 14	Mar 28 to Apr 11	Aug 8 to Aug 22	Apr 11
Freeport	Feb 15 to Mar 1	Apr 12 to Apr 26	Jul 21 to Aug 4	Apr 26
Machesney Park	Feb 20 to Mar 6	Apr 17 to May 1	Jul 20 to Aug 3	May 1
Roselle	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 21 to Aug 4	Apr 30
Bloomingdale	Feb 19 to Mar 5	Apr 16 to Apr 30	Jul 21 to Aug 4	Apr 30
East Peoria	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Jul 31 to Aug 14	Apr 16
Darien	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 19
Montgomery	Feb 8 to Feb 22	Apr 5 to Apr 19	Jul 31 to Aug 14	Apr 19
Villa Park	Feb 17 to Mar 3	Apr 14 to Apr 28	Jul 24 to Aug 7	Apr 28
Carbondale	Jan 29 to Feb 12	Mar 26 to Apr 9	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 9
Blue Island	Jan 30 to Feb 13	Mar 27 to Apr 10	Aug 9 to Aug 23	Apr 10
Frankfort	Feb 12 to Feb 26	Apr 9 to Apr 23	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 23
Grayslake	Feb 18 to Mar 4	Apr 15 to Apr 29	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 29
Geneva	Feb 14 to Feb 28	Apr 11 to Apr 25	Jul 27 to Aug 10	Apr 25
Park Forest	Feb 12 to Feb 26	Apr 9 to Apr 23	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 23
South Holland	Feb 12 to Feb 26	Apr 9 to Apr 23	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 23
Libertyville	Feb 18 to Mar 4	Apr 15 to Apr 29	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 29
Crest Hill	Feb 9 to Feb 23	Apr 6 to Apr 20	Jul 30 to Aug 13	Apr 20
Dolton	Feb 12 to Feb 26	Apr 9 to Apr 23	Jul 28 to Aug 11	Apr 23
East Moline	Feb 5 to Feb 19	Apr 2 to Apr 16	Aug 2 to Aug 16	Apr 16

Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Illinois?

In Chicago, plant out from March 27 to April 10. Across Illinois the window opens between March 21 and April 17, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost; plant out up to 2 weeks before 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

Cauliflower in other states

Frost dates for every city in Illinois