Midwest Vegetable Planting Calendar: What to Plant Now
Month-by-month planting calendar for the Midwest & Great Lakes. 162 crops with sow windows for a continental, cold winters and warm summers climate.
This is our Midwest & Great Lakes vegetable planting calendar for Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. It starts with what vegetables to plant now in the Midwest, then goes through the whole year, with planting windows set for a climate that is continental, with cold winters and warm summers, across USDA zones 5a to 7a. Further down you will find a sowing chart for popular vegetables, local timing notes, frost dates by ZIP code and a season-by-season guide, all from the same data that runs the Planting Season app. This is a first-pass calendar built from regional extension guidance and under local review, so treat it as a strong first draft.
Monthly Planting Calendar
The Midwest and Great Lakes (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa, USDA 5a-7a) have cold winters and warm, humid summers with a roughly 160-180 day season. Hardy crops go in as the soil warms in April, frost-tender crops after the last frost in early May, and a second sowing in mid-summer gives a fall harvest. Garlic is planted in October. Last frost is typically late April and the first fall frost around mid-October. These windows are a first-pass estimate from regional extension guidance and are being reviewed locally.
Month-by-month vegetable planting calendar for the Midwest
Every vegetable in our Midwest & Great Lakes calendar, grouped by the month you can sow or plant it. Each month links to its full page with herbs, fruit and flowers.
| Month | Vegetables to sow or plant | Count |
|---|---|---|
| January | No vegetable sowings this month | 0 |
| February | No vegetable sowings this month | 0 |
| March | No vegetable sowings this month | 0 |
| April | Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Collard Greens, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Onion, Parsnip, Peas, Potato, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Scorzonera, Shallot, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Sunchoke, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress | 51 |
| May | Amaranth, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bell Pepper, Bitter Melon, Bok Choy, Brazilian Spinach, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Bush Beans, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Chili Pepper, Collard Greens, Cucumber, Daikon, Edamame, Eggplant, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Globe Artichoke, Good King Henry, Green Onion, Hamburg Parsley, Horseradish, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab), Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Leek, Lettuce, Lima Beans, Luffa (Loofah), Malabar Spinach, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, New Zealand Spinach, Okra, Onion, Parsnip, Peanuts, Peas, Popcorn, Potato, Pumpkin, Quinoa, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Scarlet Runner Bean, Scorzonera, Shallot, Snow Peas, Sorghum, Sorrel, Southern Peas, Spinach, Squash, Sunchoke, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, Tomatillo, Tomato, Turnip, Watercress, Watermelon, Yardlong Beans, Zucchini | 83 |
| June | Amaranth, Bell Pepper, Bitter Melon, Brazilian Spinach, Bush Beans, Cantaloupe, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Edamame, Eggplant, Hyacinth Bean (Lablab), Lima Beans, Luffa (Loofah), Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach, Okra, Peanuts, Popcorn, Pumpkin, Rutabaga, Scarlet Runner Bean, Sorghum, Southern Peas, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Tomatillo, Tomato, Watermelon, Yardlong Beans, Zucchini | 31 |
| July | Arugula, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Collard Greens, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Peas, Radicchio, Radish, Rutabaga, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress | 35 |
| August | Arugula, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Collard Greens, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Green Onion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Peas, Radicchio, Radish, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress | 36 |
| September | Arugula, Beet, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccolini, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chicory, Collard Greens, Daikon, Endive & Escarole, Fava Beans, Fennel (Herb), Florence Fennel, Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli), Green Onion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna, Lettuce, Mibuna, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, Peas, Radicchio, Radish, Snow Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Tatsoi, Turnip, Watercress | 36 |
| October | Garlic, Shallot | 2 |
| November | No vegetable sowings this month | 0 |
| December | No vegetable sowings this month | 0 |
Midwest & Great Lakes vegetable sowing chart
36 popular crops, with the months you can sow or plant them in the Midwest. Shaded months are open planting windows, and the last column spells them out. Where our data says a crop is set out as transplants, the window is the transplanting window.
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Sow or plant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Bell Pepper | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Chili Pepper | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Eggplant | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Zucchini | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Squash | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Cucumber | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Pumpkin | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Sweet Corn | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Bush Beans | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Peas | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Snow Peas | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Okra | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Southern Peas | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Lettuce | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Spinach | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Swiss Chard | Apr to May and Aug to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Kale | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Collard Greens | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Broccoli | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Cabbage | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Cauliflower | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Carrot | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Beet | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Radish | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Turnip | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Onion | Apr to May | ||||||||||||
| Garlic | Oct | ||||||||||||
| Potato | Apr to May | ||||||||||||
| Sweet Potato | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Basil | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Cilantro | Apr to May and Jul to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Parsley | Apr to May and Aug to Sep | ||||||||||||
| Strawberry | Apr to May | ||||||||||||
| Watermelon | May to Jun | ||||||||||||
| Cantaloupe | May to Jun |
Local timing notes for the Midwest
Where timing in the Midwest needs explaining, our data carries a local note. These are the same notes the Planting Season app shows for this region, and they explain the shape of the chart above.
- Strawberry (Apr to May): Set out dormant plants in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, so they root well before summer.
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Frost dates, climate and USDA zones in the Midwest
The climate in the Midwest is continental, with cold winters and warm summers. Across the region the average last spring frost falls around April 30 and the first fall frost around October 15, which leaves a growing season of about 168 days for frost-tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash and basil. Those are regional midpoints: a frost pocket, a slope or a warm wall can shift your own dates by weeks.
Frost is local, so here is what the ZIP code records show for a few places across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa:
- Chicago (60601): typical last spring frost April 10; typical first fall frost November 5; a growing season of about 208 days.
- Detroit (48226): typical last spring frost April 21; typical first fall frost October 31; a growing season of about 190 days.
- Columbus (43215): typical last spring frost April 24; typical first fall frost October 18; a growing season of about 175 days.
- Indianapolis (46204): typical last spring frost April 20; typical first fall frost October 21; a growing season of about 183 days.
- Milwaukee (53202): typical last spring frost April 23; typical first fall frost October 24; a growing season of about 182 days.
- Des Moines (50309): typical last spring frost April 18; typical first fall frost October 20; a growing season of about 184 days.
Enter your own ZIP code in the Frost Lookup for your typical last and first frost. ZIP code figures come from the nearest weather station in the NOAA 1991 to 2020 Climate Normals, at the 50 percent probability level, so in one year out of two the last frost comes later.
USDA hardiness zones: our Midwest & Great Lakes region spans zones 5a to 7a. Your zone tells you which perennials, shrubs and fruit trees survive a normal winter; it does not tell you when to sow, which is why this calendar follows frost dates and summer heat instead. Zone pages: zone 5a, zone 5b, zone 6a, zone 6b, zone 7a.
Midwest & Great Lakes planting seasons: a season-by-season guide
The calendar above, read by season. Counts and crop lists come straight from the Midwest & Great Lakes planting windows, so they change only when our data changes.
Spring in the Midwest (March to May)
83 vegetables can be sown or planted at some point in spring. Planting windows that open: in April, Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower and 41 more; in May, Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans and 22 more.
Summer in the Midwest (June to August)
67 vegetables can be sown or planted at some point in summer. Planting windows that open: in June, Rutabaga; in July, Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot and 24 more; in August, Swiss Chard and Green Onion. Last chance before the season ends: June for Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Eggplant, Zucchini, Squash, Cucumber, Pumpkin, Sweet Corn, Bush Beans and 20 more; July for Rutabaga.
Fall in the Midwest (September to November)
38 vegetables can be sown or planted at some point in fall. Planting windows that open: in October, Garlic and Shallot. Last chance before the season ends: September for Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale, Collard Greens, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower and 26 more; October for Garlic and Shallot. Fall is also garlic planting time here; see how to grow garlic.
Winter in the Midwest (December to February)
No vegetables are sown in winter; the ground rests until the next window opens.
Growing Guides
In-depth guides for the most popular crops and techniques. These guides adapt to your region.
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Open the App →Planting calendars for other US regions
Gardening somewhere else? Each region has its own planting windows, frost dates and month pages. For every region side by side, see what vegetables to plant now across the US, or find your region by ZIP code.
- North Florida vegetable planting calendar
North Florida: USDA zones 9a to 9b, frost window February 15 to December 5. - Central Florida vegetable planting calendar
Central Florida: USDA zones 9b to 10b, effectively frost free. - South Florida vegetable planting calendar
South Florida: USDA zones 10a to 11a, effectively frost free. - Gulf South vegetable planting calendar
Gulf South: USDA zones 8a to 9b, frost window February 25 to December 1. - Desert Southwest vegetable planting calendar
Desert Southwest: USDA zones 7a to 10a, frost window February 5 to December 5. - Texas vegetable planting calendar
Texas: USDA zones 8a to 10a, frost window March 1 to November 28. - Southern California vegetable planting calendar
Southern California: USDA zones 9b to 10b, effectively frost free. - Mid-South vegetable planting calendar
Mid-South: USDA zones 7a to 8b, frost window April 10 to October 25. - Pacific Northwest vegetable planting calendar
Pacific Northwest: USDA zones 6b to 9a, frost window March 25 to November 15. - Northeast & New England vegetable planting calendar
Northeast & New England: USDA zones 5a to 7b, frost window May 10 to October 15. - Mid-Atlantic vegetable planting calendar
Mid-Atlantic: USDA zones 6b to 8a, frost window April 15 to October 25. - Upper Midwest & Northern Plains vegetable planting calendar
Upper Midwest & Northern Plains: USDA zones 3b to 5a, frost window May 15 to September 25. - Mountain West vegetable planting calendar
Mountain West: USDA zones 5a to 7b, frost window May 5 to September 30. - Southern Plains vegetable planting calendar
Southern Plains: USDA zones 5b to 7b, frost window April 10 to October 30. - Northern California vegetable planting calendar
Northern California & Central Valley: USDA zones 7b to 10a, frost window February 28 to November 17. - Hawaii vegetable planting calendar
Hawaii: USDA zones 11b to 12b, effectively frost free. - Alaska vegetable planting calendar
Alaska: USDA zones 1b to 7b, frost window May 15 to September 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I plant in the Midwest?
Hardy crops from April as the soil warms; tender crops after the early-May last frost. Sow fast cool-season crops again in July to August for fall.
How accurate are these dates?
A careful first pass based on regional extension calendars, under local review.
What vegetables can I plant now in the Midwest?
It depends on the month. Going by our Midwest & Great Lakes calendar, in spring (Mar to May) you can sow Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale and Collard Greens; in summer (Jun to Aug) you can sow Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens and Broccoli; in fall (Sep to Nov) you can sow Peas, Snow Peas, Lettuce, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Kale and Collard Greens; in winter (Dec to Feb) there are no vegetable sowings. The What to plant in the Midwest now section at the top of this page always shows the current month, and each month page lists every crop.
When is the last frost in the Midwest?
Across the Midwest the average last spring frost is around April 30 and the first fall frost around October 15, a growing season of about 168 days. ZIP code records for Chicago (60601) give a typical last spring frost of April 10 and a first fall frost of November 5. Check your own ZIP code with the Frost Lookup.
When should I plant tomatoes in the Midwest?
Our Midwest & Great Lakes calendar has tomatoes planted in May to June. More in how to grow tomatoes.
When should I plant garlic in the Midwest?
Our Midwest & Great Lakes calendar has garlic planted in October. More in how to grow garlic.