When to plant lettuce in Illinois

Plant out in Chicago

Mar 27–Apr 17

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: Feb 13–Feb 27
Plant out, Chicago: Mar 27–Apr 17
Sow outdoors, Chicago: Mar 13–Apr 17
Fall planting, Chicago: Sep 10–Sep 24
Last frost, Chicago: Apr 10

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost; plant out from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors from 4 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 6–8 weeks before the first frost. Lettuce bolts in heat. Sow small batches every two weeks in spring and again in late summer.

Lettuce planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

ChicagoMar 27–Apr 17

AuroraApr 5–Apr 26

NapervilleApr 14–May 5

JolietApr 5–Apr 26

RockfordApr 10–May 1

ElginApr 12–May 3

SpringfieldApr 1–Apr 22

PeoriaApr 2–Apr 23

ChampaignApr 1–Apr 22

WaukeganApr 16–May 7

CiceroMar 28–Apr 18

BloomingtonApr 11–May 2

SchaumburgApr 16–May 7

EvanstonApr 12–May 3

Arlington HeightsApr 5–Apr 26

BolingbrookApr 6–Apr 27

DecaturMar 31–Apr 21

SkokieApr 12–May 3

PalatineApr 11–May 2

Des PlainesApr 2–Apr 23

Orland ParkApr 5–Apr 26

Oak LawnMar 27–Apr 17

Mount ProspectApr 5–Apr 26

Tinley ParkApr 9–Apr 30

BerwynMar 28–Apr 18

WheatonApr 14–May 5

NormalApr 11–May 2

Oak ParkMar 28–Apr 18

Hoffman EstatesApr 16–May 7

Downers GroveApr 14–May 5

All 121 cities

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

Questions

When should I plant lettuce in Illinois?

In Chicago, plant out from March 27 to April 17. 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 6–8 weeks before the last frost; plant out from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors from 4 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 6–8 weeks before the first frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Illinois

Lettuce in other states

Frost dates for every city in Illinois