Gardening in the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville Metropolitan Area

What can I plant now in Chicago?
What can I plant in April in Illinois?
When can you start planting in Illinois?
What fruits and vegetables can be grown in Illinois?
When can you start planting flowers in Chicago?
What planting zone is Chicago in?
What planting zone is Illinois?
What can I plant in April in the Midwest?
When should I plant tomatoes in Chicago?
What is the best time to start seeds?
What is considered early spring for planting?
Can you start seeds in April?

What can I plant now in Chicago?

These include tender vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant, as well as crops with a long growing season, like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts. Most other crops do best when sown directly into the garden soil.

What can I plant in April in Illinois?

Plant small transplants of asparagus, early potatoes, lettuce, radish, mustard, onions, peas, rhubarb, spinach, turnips, cauliflower, carrots, and all other cool-season crops as weather permits. Plant midseason potatoes in mid-April. Plant strawberries and pinch off first-year flowers to develop strong root systems.

When can you start planting in Illinois?

Half-hardy vegetables can be planted as early as 2 to 3 weeks before the average date of the last 32 freeze in the spring. Tender vegetables should be planted from the time of the last average 32 freeze to one week later. Very tender crops should be planted 2 to 3 weeks after the last average 32 freeze. See Fig.

What fruits and vegetables can be grown in Illinois?

Foods Grown in Illinois

Plums	Winter Squash	Sweet Potato
Pumpkin	Grapes	Broccoli
Tomato	Radishes	Peaches
Berries	Rhubarb	Peas
Cherries	Cabbage	Asparagus

When can you start planting flowers in Chicago?

Plant warm-season flowering annuals, vines, herbs, and vegetables after the Chicago area's average last frost date of May 15. Cautious gardeners often wait until Memorial Day before setting out cold-sensitive plants such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash.

What planting zone is Chicago in?

1) Choose plants that grow well in the Chicago climate

Chicago falls into zone 5, with a low average temperature of -20°F to -10°F. More often than not, you will find a label on plants indicating that the plant is “hardy up to zone x.” Additionally, websites often categorize plants by zone.

What planting zone is Illinois?

Illinois planting zones fall between 5a and 7a, with the northern part of the state being at the lower end of the range. Before planning a garden, it is important to research planting zones specific to the region you will be growing in.

What can I plant in April in the Midwest?

Plant cool-season annual edibles, such as parsley, cilantro, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, Brussels sprouts, perennial herbs and more. Plant radish and spinach seeds as soon as the soil is thawed and you can work it easily.

When should I plant tomatoes in Chicago?

Considered a warm-season crop because plants need warm soil and frost-free nights, tomatoes are best planted outdoors after mid-May in the Chicago area. Even then you might need to cover plants, which is why many gardeners wait until after Memorial Day to plant.

What is the best time to start seeds?

The best time to start seeds is usually late March to late May. Only the southern zones are suitable for starting plants from seed in the earlier months. Give the plant enough time to germinate and grow to an appropriate transplant size.

What is considered early spring for planting?

Early Spring - As Soon as the Ground is Workable

Bareroot perennials, as long as they are dormant, can be planted now. Very cold tolerant annuals such as violas, primroses and pansies can be planted, they must be hardened-off in order to survive.

Can you start seeds in April?

Yes, Yes, Yes! April is finally here meaning that your garden soil is finally warming up! April is the best time to plant most of your vegetable seeds after your last frost for all zones. It's still not too late to plant tomatoes and peppers from seeds as well!