Sorghum Planting Dates in Illinois

Usual sorghum planting and harvest periods in Illinois, shown as ranges with their source. Use them to frame a plan, then adjust for your own frost dates and soil temperature.

Sorghum dates in Illinois
Activity	Window	Source	Last verified
Planting	May 4 to Jul 6 usual (most active May 17 to Jun 26)	source	2026-11-11
Harvest	Sep 18 to Nov 20 usual (most active Sep 30 to Nov 8)	source	2026-11-11

Sorghum calendar for Illinois
Item	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Planting					Planting window, most active in May	Planting window, most active in June	Planting window in July
Harvest									Harvest window, most active in September	Harvest window, most active in October	Harvest window, most active in November

What these dates mean in Illinois

Planting usually runs about 64 days, from May 4 to Jul 6.

That start date is about 11 days later than the middle of the 14 places in this data set that report sorghum planting dates (Apr 23).

Harvest usually runs about 64 days, from Sep 18 to Nov 20.

From the start of the planting window to the start of the harvest window is about 137 days in Illinois, a rough guide to how long the crop occupies the bed or field.

Frost-date caveat: these are published ranges for 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. Frost dates and local conditions vary; NASS state-level usual dates from 20-year progress data (Oct 2010 edition), begin ~5% and end ~95% complete. Check your last spring frost and soil temperature, and confirm with your county extension office.

Related guides

Sorghum dates in other places

Other crops in Illinois

Last reviewed: November 2026. Source: USDA NASS, Field Crops Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates (October 2010 edition, copy hosted by Cornell University Mann Library). Dates are the usual start and end of the period when about 5% to 95% of the crop is planted or harvested, from long-run state progress data. They are historic averages, not a forecast.