When to plant carrot in Illinois
Illinois spans USDA zones 5a–7a, so the right time to plant carrot shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 14 in Granite City to April 10 in McHenry — below are local dates for 226 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 6a | April 10 | November 5 | March 20 – May 1 |
| Aurora | 5b | April 19 | October 23 | March 29 – May 10 |
| Naperville | 5b | April 28 | October 16 | April 7 – May 19 |
| Joliet | 5b | April 19 | October 25 | March 29 – May 10 |
| Rockford | 5b | April 24 | October 17 | April 3 – May 15 |
| Elgin | 5b | April 26 | October 18 | April 5 – May 17 |
| Springfield | 6a | April 15 | October 22 | March 25 – May 6 |
| Peoria | 6a | April 16 | October 23 | March 26 – May 7 |
Carrot in Illinois: FAQ
When can I plant carrot in Illinois?
Across Illinois, the time to direct-sow carrot spans roughly March 14 in Granite City to April 10 in McHenry, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the carrot planting date vary across Illinois?
Yes. Illinois publishes 226 cities with their own frost dates, so the right carrot 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 carrot take to grow in Illinois?
Carrot takes about 60–80 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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