When to Plant Garlic in Illinois
In Illinois, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Oct 13 – Nov 10 in Schaumburg to Nov 5 – Dec 3 in Chicago. In Chicago, it's Nov 5 – Dec 3. The average first fall frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Oct 13 in Schaumburg, Nov 5 in Chicago), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Garlic is planted in fall, around the first frost, and harvested the next summer. Cloves need a cold winter to form good bulbs.
- Plant: from the first fall frost up to 4 weeks after it.
Garlic planting dates in Illinois by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | 6a | Oct 26 – Nov 23 |
| Aurora | 5b | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Bartlett | 5b | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Belleville | 7a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Berwyn | 6a | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Bloomington | 6a | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Bolingbrook | 6a | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Buffalo Grove | 6a | Oct 26 – Nov 23 |
| Champaign | 6a | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Chicago | 6a | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Cicero | 6a | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Crystal Lake | 5b | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Decatur | 6a | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Des Plaines | 6a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Downers Grove | 6a | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Elgin | 5b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Elmhurst | 6a | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| Evanston | 6a | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Glenview | 6a | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Hoffman Estates | 5b | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Joliet | 5b | Oct 25 – Nov 22 |
| Lombard | 6a | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Moline | 5b | Oct 18 – Nov 15 |
| Mount Prospect | 6a | Oct 26 – Nov 23 |
| Naperville | 5b | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Normal | 6a | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Oak Lawn | 6a | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Oak Park | 6a | Oct 31 – Nov 28 |
| Orland Park | 6a | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Palatine | 5b | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Peoria | 6a | Oct 23 – Nov 20 |
| Plainfield | 5b | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Rockford | 5b | Oct 17 – Nov 14 |
| Romeoville | 6a | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Schaumburg | 5b | Oct 13 – Nov 10 |
| Skokie | 6a | Oct 21 – Nov 18 |
| Springfield | 6a | Oct 22 – Nov 19 |
| Tinley Park | 6a | Oct 20 – Nov 17 |
| Waukegan | 6a | Oct 19 – Nov 16 |
| Wheaton | 5b | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Illinois, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.