When to plant cardoon in Illinois
Illinois spans USDA zones 5a–7a, so the right time to plant cardoon shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about April 4 in Granite City to May 1 in McHenry — below are local dates for 226 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 6a | April 10 | November 5 | April 10 – April 24 |
| Aurora | 5b | April 19 | October 23 | April 19 – May 3 |
| Naperville | 5b | April 28 | October 16 | April 28 – May 12 |
| Joliet | 5b | April 19 | October 25 | April 19 – May 3 |
| Rockford | 5b | April 24 | October 17 | April 24 – May 8 |
| Elgin | 5b | April 26 | October 18 | April 26 – May 10 |
| Springfield | 6a | April 15 | October 22 | April 15 – April 29 |
| Peoria | 6a | April 16 | October 23 | April 16 – April 30 |
Cardoon in Illinois: FAQ
When can I plant cardoon in Illinois?
Across Illinois, the time to transplant cardoon spans roughly April 4 in Granite City to May 1 in McHenry, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cardoon planting date vary across Illinois?
Yes. Illinois publishes 226 cities with their own frost dates, so the right cardoon planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does cardoon take to grow in Illinois?
Cardoon takes about 120–150 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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