When to plant collard greens in Illinois
Plant out in Chicago
Mar 13–Mar 27
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.
- Plant out, Chicago
- Mar 13–Mar 27
- Fall planting, Chicago
- Aug 13–Aug 27
- Last frost, Chicago
- Apr 10
Plant out 2–4 weeks before the last frost; sow again for fall 10–12 weeks before the first frost. Collards handle both heat and frost better than most greens.
Collard greens planting dates by city
Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
ChicagoMar 13–Mar 27
AuroraMar 22–Apr 5
NapervilleMar 31–Apr 14
JolietMar 22–Apr 5
RockfordMar 27–Apr 10
ElginMar 29–Apr 12
SpringfieldMar 18–Apr 1
PeoriaMar 19–Apr 2
ChampaignMar 18–Apr 1
WaukeganApr 2–Apr 16
CiceroMar 14–Mar 28
BloomingtonMar 28–Apr 11
SchaumburgApr 2–Apr 16
EvanstonMar 29–Apr 12
Arlington HeightsMar 22–Apr 5
BolingbrookMar 23–Apr 6
DecaturMar 17–Mar 31
SkokieMar 29–Apr 12
PalatineMar 28–Apr 11
Des PlainesMar 19–Apr 2
Orland ParkMar 22–Apr 5
Oak LawnMar 13–Mar 27
Mount ProspectMar 22–Apr 5
Tinley ParkMar 26–Apr 9
BerwynMar 14–Mar 28
WheatonMar 31–Apr 14
NormalMar 28–Apr 11
Oak ParkMar 14–Mar 28
Hoffman EstatesApr 2–Apr 16
Downers GroveMar 31–Apr 14
All 121 cities
| City | Plant out | Fall planting | Last frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Mar 13 to Mar 27 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 10 |
| Aurora | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 19 |
| Naperville | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Joliet | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Aug 2 to Aug 16 | Apr 19 |
| Rockford | Mar 27 to Apr 10 | Jul 25 to Aug 8 | Apr 24 |
| Elgin | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 26 |
| Springfield | Mar 18 to Apr 1 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 15 |
| Peoria | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 16 |
| Champaign | Mar 18 to Apr 1 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 | Apr 15 |
| Waukegan | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 30 |
| Cicero | Mar 14 to Mar 28 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 11 |
| Bloomington | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 25 |
| Schaumburg | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| Evanston | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Arlington Heights | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 19 |
| Bolingbrook | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Decatur | Mar 17 to Mar 31 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 | Apr 14 |
| Skokie | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Palatine | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 25 |
| Des Plaines | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Orland Park | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 19 |
| Oak Lawn | Mar 13 to Mar 27 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 10 |
| Mount Prospect | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 19 |
| Tinley Park | Mar 26 to Apr 9 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Berwyn | Mar 14 to Mar 28 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 11 |
| Wheaton | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Normal | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 25 |
| Oak Park | Mar 14 to Mar 28 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 11 |
| Hoffman Estates | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| Downers Grove | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Plainfield | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Glenview | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Elmhurst | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Lombard | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Buffalo Grove | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 19 |
| Moline | Mar 27 to Apr 10 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 24 |
| Crystal Lake | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 25 |
| Romeoville | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Bartlett | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| DeKalb | Mar 27 to Apr 10 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 24 |
| Belleville | Mar 15 to Mar 29 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 12 |
| Oswego | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 19 |
| Urbana | Mar 18 to Apr 1 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 | Apr 15 |
| Carol Stream | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 25 |
| Quincy | Mar 11 to Mar 25 | Aug 7 to Aug 21 | Apr 8 |
| Park Ridge | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Wheeling | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 19 |
| Streamwood | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| Carpentersville | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 26 |
| Hanover Park | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| Rock Island | Mar 27 to Apr 10 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 24 |
| Addison | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Calumet City | Mar 26 to Apr 9 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Northbrook | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| North Chicago | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 30 |
| Woodridge | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| St. Charles | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 25 |
| Mundelein | Apr 1 to Apr 15 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 29 |
| O'Fallon | Mar 15 to Mar 29 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 12 |
| Glendale Heights | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Elk Grove Village | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Pekin | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 16 |
| Algonquin | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 26 |
| Highland Park | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Gurnee | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 30 |
| Niles | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| McHenry | Apr 3 to Apr 17 | Jul 19 to Aug 2 | May 1 |
| Huntley | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 25 |
| New Lenox | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Aug 2 to Aug 16 | Apr 19 |
| Glen Ellyn | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Lake in the Hills | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 25 |
| Galesburg | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 20 |
| Burbank | Mar 13 to Mar 27 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 10 |
| Danville | Mar 24 to Apr 7 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 21 |
| Lansing | Mar 26 to Apr 9 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Lockport | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Wilmette | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Round Lake Beach | Mar 27 to Apr 10 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 24 |
| Vernon Hills | Apr 1 to Apr 15 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 29 |
| Granite City | Mar 7 to Mar 21 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 4 |
| Oak Forest | Mar 26 to Apr 9 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Yorkville | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 28 |
| Batavia | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 19 |
| Chicago Heights | Mar 26 to Apr 9 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Edwardsville | Mar 7 to Mar 21 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 4 |
| Woodstock | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 25 |
| South Elgin | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 26 to Aug 9 | Apr 26 |
| Belvidere | Mar 27 to Apr 10 | Jul 25 to Aug 8 | Apr 24 |
| West Chicago | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 25 |
| Alton | Mar 7 to Mar 21 | Aug 13 to Aug 27 | Apr 4 |
| Homer Glen | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Morton Grove | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 26 |
| Zion | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 29 to Aug 12 | Apr 30 |
| Westmont | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Melrose Park | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Collinsville | Mar 11 to Mar 25 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 8 |
| Loves Park | Mar 27 to Apr 10 | Jul 25 to Aug 8 | Apr 24 |
| Rolling Meadows | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Aug 3 to Aug 17 | Apr 19 |
| Elmwood Park | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 5 to Aug 19 | Apr 16 |
| Lisle | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Kankakee | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Aug 1 to Aug 15 | Apr 19 |
| Maywood | Mar 14 to Mar 28 | Aug 8 to Aug 22 | Apr 11 |
| Freeport | Mar 29 to Apr 12 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 26 |
| Machesney Park | Apr 3 to Apr 17 | Jul 20 to Aug 3 | May 1 |
| Roselle | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| Bloomingdale | Apr 2 to Apr 16 | Jul 21 to Aug 4 | Apr 30 |
| East Peoria | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 16 |
| Darien | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 19 |
| Montgomery | Mar 22 to Apr 5 | Jul 31 to Aug 14 | Apr 19 |
| Villa Park | Mar 31 to Apr 14 | Jul 24 to Aug 7 | Apr 28 |
| Carbondale | Mar 12 to Mar 26 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 9 |
| Blue Island | Mar 13 to Mar 27 | Aug 9 to Aug 23 | Apr 10 |
| Frankfort | Mar 26 to Apr 9 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Grayslake | Apr 1 to Apr 15 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 29 |
| Geneva | Mar 28 to Apr 11 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 | Apr 25 |
| Park Forest | Mar 26 to Apr 9 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| South Holland | Mar 26 to Apr 9 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| Libertyville | Apr 1 to Apr 15 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 29 |
| Crest Hill | Mar 23 to Apr 6 | Jul 30 to Aug 13 | Apr 20 |
| Dolton | Mar 26 to Apr 9 | Jul 28 to Aug 11 | Apr 23 |
| East Moline | Mar 19 to Apr 2 | Aug 2 to Aug 16 | Apr 16 |
Questions
When should I plant collard greens in Illinois?
In Chicago, plant out from March 13 to March 27. Across Illinois the window opens between March 7 and April 3, depending on the local last frost.
How is this date worked out?
Plant out 2–4 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.
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Collard greens in other states
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