When to plant celery in Illinois
Plant out in Chicago
Apr 17–Apr 24
Across Illinois the window opens between April 11 and May 8. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.
- Start indoors, Chicago
- Jan 16–Jan 30
- Plant out, Chicago
- Apr 17–Apr 24
- Last frost, Chicago
- Apr 10
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–2 weeks after the last frost. Celery needs steady moisture all season.
Celery planting dates by city
Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
ChicagoApr 17–Apr 24
AuroraApr 26–May 3
NapervilleMay 5–May 12
JolietApr 26–May 3
RockfordMay 1–May 8
ElginMay 3–May 10
SpringfieldApr 22–Apr 29
PeoriaApr 23–Apr 30
ChampaignApr 22–Apr 29
WaukeganMay 7–May 14
CiceroApr 18–Apr 25
BloomingtonMay 2–May 9
SchaumburgMay 7–May 14
EvanstonMay 3–May 10
Arlington HeightsApr 26–May 3
BolingbrookApr 27–May 4
DecaturApr 21–Apr 28
SkokieMay 3–May 10
PalatineMay 2–May 9
Des PlainesApr 23–Apr 30
Orland ParkApr 26–May 3
Oak LawnApr 17–Apr 24
Mount ProspectApr 26–May 3
Tinley ParkApr 30–May 7
BerwynApr 18–Apr 25
WheatonMay 5–May 12
NormalMay 2–May 9
Oak ParkApr 18–Apr 25
Hoffman EstatesMay 7–May 14
Downers GroveMay 5–May 12
All 121 cities
| City | Start indoors | Plant out | Last frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Jan 16 to Jan 30 | Apr 17 to Apr 24 | Apr 10 |
| Aurora | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Naperville | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| Joliet | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Rockford | Jan 30 to Feb 13 | May 1 to May 8 | Apr 24 |
| Elgin | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Springfield | Jan 21 to Feb 4 | Apr 22 to Apr 29 | Apr 15 |
| Peoria | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| Champaign | Jan 21 to Feb 4 | Apr 22 to Apr 29 | Apr 15 |
| Waukegan | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| Cicero | Jan 17 to Jan 31 | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | Apr 11 |
| Bloomington | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| Schaumburg | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| Evanston | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Arlington Heights | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Bolingbrook | Jan 26 to Feb 9 | Apr 27 to May 4 | Apr 20 |
| Decatur | Jan 20 to Feb 3 | Apr 21 to Apr 28 | Apr 14 |
| Skokie | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Palatine | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| Des Plaines | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| Orland Park | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Oak Lawn | Jan 16 to Jan 30 | Apr 17 to Apr 24 | Apr 10 |
| Mount Prospect | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Tinley Park | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | Apr 30 to May 7 | Apr 23 |
| Berwyn | Jan 17 to Jan 31 | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | Apr 11 |
| Wheaton | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| Normal | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| Oak Park | Jan 17 to Jan 31 | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | Apr 11 |
| Hoffman Estates | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| Downers Grove | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| Plainfield | Jan 26 to Feb 9 | Apr 27 to May 4 | Apr 20 |
| Glenview | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Elmhurst | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| Lombard | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| Buffalo Grove | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Moline | Jan 30 to Feb 13 | May 1 to May 8 | Apr 24 |
| Crystal Lake | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| Romeoville | Jan 26 to Feb 9 | Apr 27 to May 4 | Apr 20 |
| Bartlett | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| DeKalb | Jan 30 to Feb 13 | May 1 to May 8 | Apr 24 |
| Belleville | Jan 18 to Feb 1 | Apr 19 to Apr 26 | Apr 12 |
| Oswego | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Urbana | Jan 21 to Feb 4 | Apr 22 to Apr 29 | Apr 15 |
| Carol Stream | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| Quincy | Jan 14 to Jan 28 | Apr 15 to Apr 22 | Apr 8 |
| Park Ridge | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| Wheeling | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Streamwood | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| Carpentersville | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Hanover Park | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| Rock Island | Jan 30 to Feb 13 | May 1 to May 8 | Apr 24 |
| Addison | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| Calumet City | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | Apr 30 to May 7 | Apr 23 |
| Northbrook | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| North Chicago | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| Woodridge | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| St. Charles | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| Mundelein | Feb 4 to Feb 18 | May 6 to May 13 | Apr 29 |
| O'Fallon | Jan 18 to Feb 1 | Apr 19 to Apr 26 | Apr 12 |
| Glendale Heights | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| Elk Grove Village | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| Pekin | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| Algonquin | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Highland Park | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Gurnee | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| Niles | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| McHenry | Feb 6 to Feb 20 | May 8 to May 15 | May 1 |
| Huntley | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| New Lenox | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Glen Ellyn | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| Lake in the Hills | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| Galesburg | Jan 26 to Feb 9 | Apr 27 to May 4 | Apr 20 |
| Burbank | Jan 16 to Jan 30 | Apr 17 to Apr 24 | Apr 10 |
| Danville | Jan 27 to Feb 10 | Apr 28 to May 5 | Apr 21 |
| Lansing | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | Apr 30 to May 7 | Apr 23 |
| Lockport | Jan 26 to Feb 9 | Apr 27 to May 4 | Apr 20 |
| Wilmette | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Round Lake Beach | Jan 30 to Feb 13 | May 1 to May 8 | Apr 24 |
| Vernon Hills | Feb 4 to Feb 18 | May 6 to May 13 | Apr 29 |
| Granite City | Jan 10 to Jan 24 | Apr 11 to Apr 18 | Apr 4 |
| Oak Forest | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | Apr 30 to May 7 | Apr 23 |
| Yorkville | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| Batavia | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Chicago Heights | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | Apr 30 to May 7 | Apr 23 |
| Edwardsville | Jan 10 to Jan 24 | Apr 11 to Apr 18 | Apr 4 |
| Woodstock | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| South Elgin | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Belvidere | Jan 30 to Feb 13 | May 1 to May 8 | Apr 24 |
| West Chicago | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| Alton | Jan 10 to Jan 24 | Apr 11 to Apr 18 | Apr 4 |
| Homer Glen | Jan 26 to Feb 9 | Apr 27 to May 4 | Apr 20 |
| Morton Grove | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Zion | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| Westmont | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| Melrose Park | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| Collinsville | Jan 14 to Jan 28 | Apr 15 to Apr 22 | Apr 8 |
| Loves Park | Jan 30 to Feb 13 | May 1 to May 8 | Apr 24 |
| Rolling Meadows | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Elmwood Park | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| Lisle | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| Kankakee | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Maywood | Jan 17 to Jan 31 | Apr 18 to Apr 25 | Apr 11 |
| Freeport | Feb 1 to Feb 15 | May 3 to May 10 | Apr 26 |
| Machesney Park | Feb 6 to Feb 20 | May 8 to May 15 | May 1 |
| Roselle | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| Bloomingdale | Feb 5 to Feb 19 | May 7 to May 14 | Apr 30 |
| East Peoria | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
| Darien | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Montgomery | Jan 25 to Feb 8 | Apr 26 to May 3 | Apr 19 |
| Villa Park | Feb 3 to Feb 17 | May 5 to May 12 | Apr 28 |
| Carbondale | Jan 15 to Jan 29 | Apr 16 to Apr 23 | Apr 9 |
| Blue Island | Jan 16 to Jan 30 | Apr 17 to Apr 24 | Apr 10 |
| Frankfort | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | Apr 30 to May 7 | Apr 23 |
| Grayslake | Feb 4 to Feb 18 | May 6 to May 13 | Apr 29 |
| Geneva | Jan 31 to Feb 14 | May 2 to May 9 | Apr 25 |
| Park Forest | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | Apr 30 to May 7 | Apr 23 |
| South Holland | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | Apr 30 to May 7 | Apr 23 |
| Libertyville | Feb 4 to Feb 18 | May 6 to May 13 | Apr 29 |
| Crest Hill | Jan 26 to Feb 9 | Apr 27 to May 4 | Apr 20 |
| Dolton | Jan 29 to Feb 12 | Apr 30 to May 7 | Apr 23 |
| East Moline | Jan 22 to Feb 5 | Apr 23 to Apr 30 | Apr 16 |
Questions
When should I plant celery in Illinois?
In Chicago, plant out from April 17 to April 24. Across Illinois the window opens between April 11 and May 8, depending on the local last frost.
How is this date worked out?
Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost; plant out 1–2 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.
More for Illinois
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Celery in other states
- Alabama
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- Connecticut
- Delaware
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- Georgia
- Idaho
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- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
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