FrostCal

When to Plant Broccoli in Illinois

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Mar 30 – Apr 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 11 in Granite City and as late as Apr 10 in Roscoe. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 20 – Aug 27.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 55–80 days

Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).

Broccoli Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplantFall planting
ChicagoFeb 20 – Mar 6Mar 20 – Mar 27Sep 3 – Sep 10
AuroraMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 21 – Aug 28
RockfordMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 3 – Apr 10Aug 15 – Aug 22
JolietMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 23 – Aug 30
NapervilleMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 14 – Aug 21
PeoriaFeb 26 – Mar 12Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 21 – Aug 28
SpringfieldFeb 25 – Mar 11Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 20 – Aug 27
North PeoriaFeb 26 – Mar 12Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 21 – Aug 28
ElginMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 16 – Aug 23
WaukeganMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 17 – Aug 24
ChampaignFeb 25 – Mar 11Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 22 – Aug 29
CiceroFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 21 – Mar 28Aug 29 – Sep 5
BloomingtonMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 18 – Aug 25
Arlington HeightsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 24 – Aug 31
EvanstonMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 19 – Aug 26
SchaumburgMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 11 – Aug 18
BolingbrookMar 2 – Mar 16Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 20 – Aug 27
DecaturFeb 24 – Mar 10Mar 24 – Mar 31Aug 22 – Aug 29
PalatineMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 17 – Aug 24
SkokieMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 19 – Aug 26
Des PlainesFeb 26 – Mar 12Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 26 – Sep 2
Orland ParkMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 20 – Aug 27
Tinley ParkMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 18 – Aug 25
Oak LawnFeb 20 – Mar 6Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 30 – Sep 6
BerwynFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 21 – Mar 28Aug 29 – Sep 5
Mount ProspectMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 24 – Aug 31
NormalMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 14 – Aug 21
WheatonMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 14 – Aug 21
Oak ParkFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 21 – Mar 28Aug 29 – Sep 5
Hoffman EstatesMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 11 – Aug 18

Showing the 30 most populous of 242 Illinois cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Illinois cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant broccoli in Illinois?

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Mar 30 – Apr 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 11 in Granite City and as late as Apr 10 in Roscoe. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 20 – Aug 27.

When is the last frost in Illinois?

The average last spring frost in Illinois ranges from April 1 in Granite City to May 1 in Roscoe, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do broccoli take to grow?

Broccoli typically take 55–80 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).

Other Crops in Illinois

When to plant broccoli in other states

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