FrostCal

When to Plant Cabbage in Illinois

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Mar 23 – Apr 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 4 in Granite City and as late as Apr 3 in Roscoe. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 13 – Aug 27.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–100 days

Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.

Cabbage Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplantFall planting
ChicagoFeb 20 – Mar 6Mar 13 – Mar 27Aug 27 – Sep 10
AuroraMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 14 – Aug 28
RockfordMar 6 – Mar 20Mar 27 – Apr 10Aug 8 – Aug 22
JolietMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 16 – Aug 30
NapervilleMar 10 – Mar 24Mar 31 – Apr 14Aug 7 – Aug 21
PeoriaFeb 26 – Mar 12Mar 19 – Apr 2Aug 14 – Aug 28
SpringfieldFeb 25 – Mar 11Mar 18 – Apr 1Aug 13 – Aug 27
North PeoriaFeb 26 – Mar 12Mar 19 – Apr 2Aug 14 – Aug 28
ElginMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 29 – Apr 12Aug 9 – Aug 23
WaukeganMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 2 – Apr 16Aug 10 – Aug 24
ChampaignFeb 25 – Mar 11Mar 18 – Apr 1Aug 15 – Aug 29
CiceroFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 14 – Mar 28Aug 22 – Sep 5
BloomingtonMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 24 – Apr 7Aug 11 – Aug 25
Arlington HeightsMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 17 – Aug 31
EvanstonMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 29 – Apr 12Aug 12 – Aug 26
SchaumburgMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 2 – Apr 16Aug 4 – Aug 18
BolingbrookMar 2 – Mar 16Mar 23 – Apr 6Aug 13 – Aug 27
DecaturFeb 24 – Mar 10Mar 17 – Mar 31Aug 15 – Aug 29
PalatineMar 7 – Mar 21Mar 28 – Apr 11Aug 10 – Aug 24
SkokieMar 8 – Mar 22Mar 29 – Apr 12Aug 12 – Aug 26
Des PlainesFeb 26 – Mar 12Mar 19 – Apr 2Aug 19 – Sep 2
Orland ParkMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 13 – Aug 27
Tinley ParkMar 5 – Mar 19Mar 26 – Apr 9Aug 11 – Aug 25
Oak LawnFeb 20 – Mar 6Mar 13 – Mar 27Aug 23 – Sep 6
BerwynFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 14 – Mar 28Aug 22 – Sep 5
Mount ProspectMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 22 – Apr 5Aug 17 – Aug 31
NormalMar 7 – Mar 21Mar 28 – Apr 11Aug 7 – Aug 21
WheatonMar 10 – Mar 24Mar 31 – Apr 14Aug 7 – Aug 21
Oak ParkFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 14 – Mar 28Aug 22 – Sep 5
Hoffman EstatesMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 2 – Apr 16Aug 4 – 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 cabbage in Illinois?

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Mar 23 – Apr 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 4 in Granite City and as late as Apr 3 in Roscoe. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 13 – 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 cabbage take to grow?

Cabbage typically take 60–100 days from planting to harvest. Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.

Other Crops in Illinois

When to plant cabbage in other states

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