When to Plant Potatoes in Illinois
In Illinois, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Mar 20 – Apr 3 in Chicago to Apr 9 – Apr 23 in Waukegan. In Chicago, it's Mar 20 – Apr 3. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 10 in Chicago, Apr 30 in Waukegan), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in Illinois by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | 6a | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Aurora | 5b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Bartlett | 5b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Belleville | 7a | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Berwyn | 6a | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Bloomington | 6a | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Bolingbrook | 6a | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Buffalo Grove | 6a | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Champaign | 6a | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Chicago | 6a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Cicero | 6a | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Crystal Lake | 5b | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Decatur | 6a | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Des Plaines | 6a | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Downers Grove | 6a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Elgin | 5b | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Elmhurst | 6a | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Evanston | 6a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Glenview | 6a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Hoffman Estates | 5b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Joliet | 5b | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Lombard | 6a | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Moline | 5b | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Mount Prospect | 6a | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Naperville | 5b | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Normal | 6a | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Oak Lawn | 6a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Oak Park | 6a | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Orland Park | 6a | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Palatine | 5b | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Peoria | 6a | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Plainfield | 5b | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Rockford | 5b | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Romeoville | 6a | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Schaumburg | 5b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Skokie | 6a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Springfield | 6a | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Tinley Park | 6a | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Waukegan | 6a | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Wheaton | 5b | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
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 potatoes.
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