My Planting Calendar

What to plant in October in Illinois

In Illinois (IL), the average first fall frost (October 14) has passed by mid-October. The state averages 177 frost-free days a year (last frost April 20, first frost October 14; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a).

2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic.

Dates here come from Illinois frost dates (last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 14). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Illinois.

After the first frostSow or plant: 2Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 39

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. 2 have one in October; the busiest month is April (86).

For fall and winter harvests (2)

Sowings counted back from Illinois's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
ShallotPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 18 – Nov 4Opens Oct 18
GarlicPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 25 – Nov 11Opens Oct 25

Harvesting in October

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Aug 2 – Oct 1Cucumber · Aug 31 – Oct 7Chayote · Sep 1 – Oct 1Broccoli · Sep 3 – Oct 15Cauliflower · Sep 3 – Oct 20Cabbage · Sep 3 – Oct 30Bush Bean · Sep 7 – Oct 4Kale · Sep 7 – Oct 9Lettuce · Sep 8 – Oct 25Brussels Sprouts · Sep 12 – Oct 29Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Sep 13 – Oct 15Mizuna · Sep 13 – Oct 10Swiss Chard · Sep 14 – Oct 11Napa Cabbage · Sep 14 – Oct 26Mustard Greens · Sep 15 – Oct 17Fennel (Bulb) · Sep 15 – Oct 27Cilantro / Coriander · Sep 16 – Oct 28Carrot · Sep 17 – Oct 24Radicchio · Sep 17 – Nov 13Dill · Sep 18 – Oct 25Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 18 – Oct 25Pea · Sep 19 – Oct 21Collard Greens · Sep 19 – Oct 26Tatsoi · Sep 20 – Oct 22Beet · Sep 21 – Oct 28Radish · Sep 21 – Oct 16Spinach · Sep 22 – Oct 17Arugula · Sep 22 – Oct 19Kohlrabi · Sep 23 – Oct 25Mache (Corn Salad) · Sep 23 – Oct 25Turnip · Sep 25 – Nov 1Chervil · Sep 25 – Nov 1Rutabaga · Sep 26 – Oct 23Borage · Oct 3 – Nov 9Parsley · Oct 4 – Nov 10Green Onion / Scallion · Oct 8 – Nov 14Watercress · Oct 12 – Nov 8Endive & Escarole · Oct 19 – Nov 20Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Oct 23 – Nov 24

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

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Illinois

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.

Bulb planting guide by state, with depth and spacing →When to plant daffodils →When to plant tulips →

After the first frost: October garden jobs in Illinois

  1. The average first frost (October 14) has passed - pull frost-killed tender plants and compost the healthy ones; bin or burn anything that had blight or mildew.
  2. Plant garlic now (Oct 25 – Nov 11): single cloves, pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, then mulch.
  3. Leave cold-hardy roots (carrots, parsnips, leeks) in the ground under a thick mulch and dig them as needed.
  4. Clean and oil tools, drain hoses, and note what worked this year while you still remember - it makes next year's plan far easier.

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 October?

2 crops have a window in October: shallot, garlic. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant garlic in Illinois in October?

No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 25 – Nov 11 in Illinois.

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Illinois have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 23.

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 can I harvest in Illinois in October?

From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), cucumber, chayote, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bush bean, kale, lettuce, brussels sprouts.

← September in IllinoisNovember in Illinois →Full-year Illinois planting calendar →Illinois frost dates →

What to plant in October 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.