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Lettuce planting and harvest datesLettuce Planting Dates in Northern Illinois
Usual lettuce planting periods in Northern Illinois, shown as ranges with their source. Use them to frame a plan, then adjust for your own frost dates and soil temperature.
| Activity | Window | Source | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planting | April 15 to May 15, July 15 to Sept. 15 | source | 2026-11-11 |
| Item | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planting | Planting window in April | Planting window in May | Planting window in July | Planting window in August | Planting window in September |
What these dates mean in Northern Illinois
Planting usually runs about 31 days, from Apr 15 to May 15.
That start date is about 14 days later than the middle of the 13 places in this data set that report lettuce planting dates (Apr 1).
Frost-date caveat: these are published ranges for Northern Illinois. A northern or high-elevation site will run later than a southern or low one, and a cold wet spring can push planting past the window. Planting dates are a general guide; frost dates and local conditions vary. Check your last spring frost and soil temperature, and confirm with your county extension office.
Related guides
Lettuce dates in other places
- Arkansas
- Central Florida
- Central Illinois
- Central and higher-elevation Eastern Oregon
- Columbia and Snake River valleys, Oregon
- New Hampshire
- North Florida
- Oregon Coast
- South Florida
- Southern Illinois
- Utah
- Western Oregon
- Western valleys (Portland, Roseburg, Medford), Oregon
Other crops in Northern Illinois
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Bush Beans
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Chard
- Corn (home garden)
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Endive
- Garlic
- Green onions (sets)
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Muskmelon
- Mustard
- Okra
- Parsnip
- Peas
- Pepper
- Pole Beans
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Radish
- Rhubarb
- Rutabaga
- Spinach
- Squash (summer)
- Squash (winter)
- Sweet Potato
- Tomato
- Turnip
- Watermelon
Last reviewed: November 2026. Source: Illinois Extension - When to Plant (Home Vegetable Gardening).