- The frost free date will guide you in what you can plant and when.early spring image by siloto from Fotolia.com
Northwest Illinois sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a, which means that winters can get as cold as minus 15 to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The key to planting successfully in this region of the country is to check the frost free date for Northwest Illinois in the spring. - Broccoli is hardy enough to be planted early.broccoli image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
Hardy vegetables are the ones that can stand up to the frost and cold temperatures your Northwest Illinois garden might experience. They can be planted up to six weeks prior to the frost free date and include potatoes and onion sets, seeds of greens like collards, spinach and lettuce, and asparagus and cabbage transplants. - Parsnip seeds can be planted two to three weeks before the frost free date.parsnip image by Jakub Cejpek from Fotolia.com
Frost-tolerant veggies can take some cold but not the kind you may experience a month and a half before your frost free date. These can go into your garden two to three weeks before frost free. Cauliflower transplants are ready now, as well as carrots, beets and radishes from seed.
