When to plant Lettuce in Illinois

In spring, from Feb 15 – Apr 15 in Alton to Apr 1 – June 1 in Zion.

In fall, from July 15 – Sept 1 in Algonquin to Aug 25 – Oct 1 in Wood River.

USDA's earliest safe spring and latest safe fall planting dates, matched to each place's average frost dates.

Leaf lettuce planting dates by place in Illinois
PlaceSpringFall
AddisonMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
AlgonquinApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
AlsipMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
AltonFeb 15 – Apr 15Aug 25 – Oct 1
AntiochMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Arlington HeightsMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
AuroraMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
BarringtonMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
BartlettApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
BataviaMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Beach ParkApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
BellevilleMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
BellwoodMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
BelvidereMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
BensenvilleMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
BerwynMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
BloomingdaleApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
BloomingtonMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Blue IslandMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
BolingbrookMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
BourbonnaisMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
BradleyMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
BridgeviewMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
BrookfieldMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Buffalo GroveMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
BurbankMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Burr RidgeMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Cahokia HeightsMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Calumet CityMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Campton HillsMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
CantonMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
CarbondaleMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Carol StreamMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
CarpentersvilleApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
CaryApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
CentraliaMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
ChampaignMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
ChannahonMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
CharlestonMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
ChathamMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
ChicagoMar 15 – May 15Aug 25 – Oct 1
Chicago HeightsMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Chicago RidgeMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
CiceroMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
CollinsvilleMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
ColumbiaMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Country Club HillsMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Crest HillMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
CrestwoodMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Crystal LakeMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
DanvilleMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
DarienMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
DecaturMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
DeerfieldApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
DeKalbMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Des PlainesMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
DixonMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
DoltonMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Downers GroveApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
East MolineMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
East PeoriaMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
East St. LouisMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
EdwardsvilleFeb 15 – Apr 15Aug 25 – Oct 1
EffinghamMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
ElginApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Elk Grove VillageMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
ElmhurstMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Elmwood ParkMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
EvanstonApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Evergreen ParkMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Fairview HeightsMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Forest ParkMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Fox LakeMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
FrankfortMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Franklin ParkMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
FreeportApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
GalesburgMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
GenevaMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Glen CarbonFeb 15 – Apr 15Aug 25 – Oct 1
Glen EllynApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Glendale HeightsApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
GlenviewApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
GodfreyFeb 15 – Apr 15Aug 25 – Oct 1
Granite CityFeb 15 – Apr 15Aug 25 – Oct 1
GrayslakeApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
GurneeApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Hanover ParkApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
HarveyMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Hazel CrestMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
HerrinMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Hickory HillsMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
HighlandMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Highland ParkApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
HinsdaleMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Hoffman EstatesApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Homer GlenMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
HomewoodMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
HuntleyMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
JacksonvilleMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
JolietMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
JusticeMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
KankakeeMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
KewaneeMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
La GrangeMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
La Grange ParkMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Lake ForestApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Lake in the HillsMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Lake ZurichApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
LansingMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
LemontMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
LibertyvilleApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
LincolnMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
LincolnwoodApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
LindenhurstMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
LisleApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
LockportMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
LombardApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Loves ParkMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
LyonsMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Machesney ParkApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
MacombMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
MahometMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
ManhattanMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
MarionMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
MarkhamMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
MattesonMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
MattoonMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
MaywoodMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
McHenryApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Melrose ParkMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
MidlothianMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
MinookaMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
MokenaMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
MolineMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
MontgomeryMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
MorrisMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
MortonMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Morton GroveApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Mount ProspectMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Mount VernonMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
MundeleinApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
NapervilleApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
New LenoxMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
NilesMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
NormalMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
NorridgeMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
North AuroraMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
North ChicagoApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
NorthbrookApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
NorthlakeMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
O'FallonMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Oak ForestMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Oak LawnMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Oak ParkMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Orland ParkMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
OswegoMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
OttawaApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
PalatineMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Palos HeightsMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Palos HillsMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Park ForestMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Park RidgeMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
PekinMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
PeoriaMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Pingree GroveApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
PlainfieldMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
PlanoApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
PontiacMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Prospect HeightsMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
QuincyMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
RantoulMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Richton ParkMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
River ForestMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
River GroveMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
RiverdaleMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Rock IslandMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
RockfordMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Rolling MeadowsMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
RomeovilleMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
RoscoeApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
RoselleApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Round LakeApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Round Lake BeachMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
SchaumburgApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Schiller ParkMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
ShilohMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
ShorewoodMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
SkokieApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
South ElginApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
South HollandMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
SpringfieldMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
St. CharlesMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
SterlingMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
StreamwoodApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
StreatorMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
SummitMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
SwanseaMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
SycamoreMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
TaylorvilleMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Tinley ParkMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
TroyMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
UrbanaMar 15 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
Vernon HillsApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Villa ParkApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
WarrenvilleApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
WashingtonMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
WaterlooMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
WaucondaApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
WaukeganApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
West ChicagoMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
WestchesterMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Western SpringsMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
WestmontApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
WheatonApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
WheelingMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
WilmetteApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
WinfieldMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
WinnetkaApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
Wood DaleMar 20 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
Wood RiverFeb 15 – Apr 15Aug 25 – Oct 1
WoodridgeApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
WoodstockMar 20 – May 15July 15 – Sept 1
WorthMar 15 – May 15Aug 15 – Oct 1
YorkvilleApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1
ZionApr 1 – June 1July 15 – Sept 1

Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), tables 4 and 5. Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. “—” means the place's frost date is outside the table. The full USDA table for leaf lettuce.