FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in Illinois

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Apr 6 – Apr 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 18 in Granite City and as late as Apr 17 in Roscoe. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 13 – Aug 20.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 55–85 days

Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.

Cauliflower Planting Dates by City

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

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 cauliflower in Illinois?

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Apr 6 – Apr 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 18 in Granite City and as late as Apr 17 in Roscoe. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 13 – Aug 20.

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 cauliflower take to grow?

Cauliflower typically take 55–85 days from planting to harvest. Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.

Other Crops in Illinois

When to plant cauliflower in other states

Related Guides