FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Illinois

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 8 in Granite City and as late as May 8 in Roscoe.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
ChicagoFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
AuroraFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
RockfordFeb 27 – Mar 13May 1 – May 8
JolietFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
NapervilleMar 3 – Mar 17May 5 – May 12
PeoriaFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
SpringfieldFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
North PeoriaFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
ElginMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
WaukeganMar 5 – Mar 19May 7 – May 14
ChampaignFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
CiceroFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
BloomingtonFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – May 5
Arlington HeightsFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
EvanstonMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
SchaumburgMar 5 – Mar 19May 7 – May 14
BolingbrookFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 27 – May 4
DecaturFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 21 – Apr 28
PalatineFeb 28 – Mar 14May 2 – May 9
SkokieMar 1 – Mar 15May 3 – May 10
Des PlainesFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
Orland ParkFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
Tinley ParkFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 30 – May 7
Oak LawnFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
BerwynFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
Mount ProspectFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
NormalFeb 28 – Mar 14May 2 – May 9
WheatonMar 3 – Mar 17May 5 – May 12
Oak ParkFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
Hoffman EstatesMar 5 – Mar 19May 7 – May 14

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 tomatoes in Illinois?

In a typical Illinois location, start seeds indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 27 – May 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 8 in Granite City and as late as May 8 in Roscoe.

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 tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Illinois

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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