When to plant new zealand spinach in Illinois
Illinois spans USDA zones 5a–7a, so the right time to plant new zealand spinach shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about April 11 in Granite City to May 8 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 | April 17 – May 1 |
| Aurora | 5b | April 19 | October 23 | April 26 – May 10 |
| Naperville | 5b | April 28 | October 16 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Joliet | 5b | April 19 | October 25 | April 26 – May 10 |
| Rockford | 5b | April 24 | October 17 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Elgin | 5b | April 26 | October 18 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Springfield | 6a | April 15 | October 22 | April 22 – May 6 |
| Peoria | 6a | April 16 | October 23 | April 23 – May 7 |
New Zealand Spinach in Illinois: FAQ
When can I plant new zealand spinach in Illinois?
Across Illinois, the time to direct-sow new zealand spinach spans roughly April 11 in Granite City to May 8 in McHenry, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the new zealand spinach planting date vary across Illinois?
Yes. Illinois publishes 226 cities with their own frost dates, so the right new zealand spinach 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 new zealand spinach take to grow in Illinois?
New Zealand Spinach takes about 55–70 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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