Illinois · zones 5b–6b
When to plant strawberries in Illinois.
Sow or transplant between Apr 6 to May 11 in a typical year, keyed to Illinois's median last frost around Apr 20. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Strawberries dates for a typical Illinois season.
1 · Start indoors
Feb 23 to Mar 30
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Apr 6 to May 11
Keyed to the ~Apr 20 last frost. Sow 0" deep, 12" apart.
Harvest
~90 days later
~1.5 lb per plant over ~8 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.