Illinois · zones 5b–6b
When to plant carrots in Illinois.
Sow between Mar 13 to Apr 15 in a typical year, keyed to Illinois's median last frost around Apr 20. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 23 to Aug 18. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Carrots dates for a typical Illinois season.
Direct sow
Mar 13 to Apr 15
Keyed to the ~Apr 20 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 2" apart.
Fall round
Jul 23 to Aug 18
Counted back from the ~Oct 18 first frost.
Harvest
~68 days later
~0.2 lb per plant over ~2 weeks.
Illinois spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5b to 6b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.