My Planting Calendar

What to plant in February in Illinois

In Illinois (IL), February sits about 9 weeks before the average last frost (April 20). The state averages 177 frost-free days a year (last frost April 20, first frost October 14; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a).

24 crops have a sowing or planting window this month - and 1 of those windows close during February.

Dates here come from Illinois frost dates (last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 14). For one crop in detail, see when to plant onion, eggplant or bell pepper in Illinois.

Seed-starting seasonSow or plant: 24Start indoors: 24Harvesting: 0

Illinois: planting activity through the year

1
24
70
86
58
11
24
32
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 20 – Oct 14
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 24 have one in February; the busiest month is April (86).

Last chance in February

Celeriac (start seeds indoors, by Feb 9)

Start seeds indoors in February (24)

Indoor sowings for transplants later. Six to eight weeks under lights is typical for tomatoes and peppers; onions and leeks need longer.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
CeleriacStart seeds indoorsJan 26 – Feb 9Last chance - ends Feb 9
CeleryStart seeds indoorsFeb 2 – Feb 16Feb 2 – Feb 16
LeekStart seeds indoorsFeb 2 – Feb 16Feb 2 – Feb 16
OnionStart seeds indoorsFeb 2 – Feb 16Feb 2 – Feb 16
RosemaryStart seeds indoorsFeb 2 – Feb 16Feb 2 – Feb 16
EggplantStart seeds indoorsFeb 9 – Feb 23Feb 9 – Feb 23
ParsleyStart seeds indoorsFeb 9 – Feb 23Feb 9 – Feb 23
ShallotStart seeds indoorsFeb 9 – Feb 23Feb 9 – Feb 23
Bell PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 16 – Mar 2Opens Feb 16
Chili PepperStart seeds indoorsFeb 16 – Mar 2Opens Feb 16
GingerStart seeds indoorsFeb 16 – Mar 2Opens Feb 16
Green Onion / ScallionStart seeds indoorsFeb 16 – Mar 2Opens Feb 16
MintStart seeds indoorsFeb 16 – Mar 2Opens Feb 16
OreganoStart seeds indoorsFeb 16 – Mar 2Opens Feb 16
SageStart seeds indoorsFeb 16 – Mar 2Opens Feb 16
TarragonStart seeds indoorsFeb 16 – Mar 2Opens Feb 16
ThymeStart seeds indoorsFeb 16 – Mar 2Opens Feb 16
TurmericStart seeds indoorsFeb 16 – Mar 2Opens Feb 16
Ground CherryStart seeds indoorsFeb 23 – Mar 9Opens Feb 23
Lemon BalmStart seeds indoorsFeb 23 – Mar 9Opens Feb 23
Shiso (Perilla)Start seeds indoorsFeb 23 – Mar 9Opens Feb 23
Sweet MarjoramStart seeds indoorsFeb 23 – Mar 9Opens Feb 23
TomatilloStart seeds indoorsFeb 23 – Mar 9Opens Feb 23
TomatoStart seeds indoorsFeb 23 – Mar 9Opens Feb 23

Planting dates for popular crops in Illinois

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Illinois: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant onion in Illinois →When to plant eggplant in Illinois →When to plant bell pepper in Illinois →When to plant chili pepper in Illinois →When to plant tomato in Illinois →When to plant lettuce in Illinois →When to plant garlic in Illinois →When to plant carrot in Illinois →Illinois frost dates by zone →

Seed-starting season: February garden jobs in Illinois

  1. Start 24 crops indoors this month, including celeriac, celery, leek, onion. Use a sterile mix and good light - see starting seeds indoors.
  2. 9 weeks until the average last frost (April 20). The seed-starting calculator works out each crop's exact sowing date from it.
  3. Keep seedlings from stretching: lights 2-3 inches above the leaves for 14-16 hours a day, and a fan or a daily brush of the hand across the tops.
  4. Prepare beds as soon as the soil crumbles instead of smearing when squeezed - working wet soil ruins its structure for the season.

USDA zone chart for Illinois

Illinois spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Illinois in February?

24 crops have a window in February: celeriac, celery, leek, onion, rosemary, eggplant, parsley, shallot, bell pepper, chili pepper and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Illinois in February?

No - start seeds indoors runs Feb 23 – Mar 9 in Illinois.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Illinois in February?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Illinois the next lettuce window opens around March 16: start seeds indoors.

When is the first frost in Illinois?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 14 and the last spring frost around April 20. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What should I start indoors in February in Illinois?

Celeriac (Jan 26 – Feb 9), Celery (Feb 2 – Feb 16), Leek (Feb 2 – Feb 16), Onion (Feb 2 – Feb 16), Rosemary (Feb 2 – Feb 16), Eggplant (Feb 9 – Feb 23), Parsley (Feb 9 – Feb 23), Shallot (Feb 9 – Feb 23), Bell Pepper (Feb 16 – Mar 2), Chili Pepper (Feb 16 – Mar 2), Ginger (Feb 16 – Mar 2), Green Onion / Scallion (Feb 16 – Mar 2), Mint (Feb 16 – Mar 2), Oregano (Feb 16 – Mar 2), Sage (Feb 16 – Mar 2), Tarragon (Feb 16 – Mar 2), Thyme (Feb 16 – Mar 2), Turmeric (Feb 16 – Mar 2), Ground Cherry (Feb 23 – Mar 9), Lemon Balm (Feb 23 – Mar 9), Shiso (Perilla) (Feb 23 – Mar 9), Sweet Marjoram (Feb 23 – Mar 9), Tomatillo (Feb 23 – Mar 9), Tomato (Feb 23 – Mar 9).

← January in IllinoisMarch in Illinois →Full-year Illinois planting calendar →Illinois frost dates →

What to plant in February in other states

IndianaIowaMichiganMinnesotaMissouriOhioWisconsinAlabamaAll states →

Dates are computed from Illinois’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.