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Morton, IL — Planting Guide for July

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Morton gardens in a maritime climate — mild wet winters, cool dry summers (37" annual rainfall, most of it October to April). Cool-season crops like peas, lettuce, kale, and brassicas thrive almost year-round. The challenge is summer heat: long-season warm-weather crops (full-size tomatoes, peppers, melons) need every bit of summer sun, so prioritize short-season varieties, use dark mulches to warm the soil, and reserve your warmest microclimates (south-facing walls, near pavement) for the tender stuff.

Drought pressure is moderate (15.6 weeks/year on average). Mulching and drip irrigation pay for themselves quickly.

🌡️ USDA Zone

6a (-10°F to -5°F min)

❄️ Avg. Last Frost

April 19

🍂 Avg. First Frost

October 15

📅 Growing Season

179 days

🌧️ Climate

Moderate 36.8" annual

💨 Wind

Moderate 7.8 mph avg

🥶 Frost Tier

Regular 0% frost-free years

🏜️ Drought

15.6 wk/yr trend stable

📍 ZIP Codes

1 ZIP

Morton, IL Moderate season
179 days
❄
Last Spring Frost April 19
➔ 179 growing days ➔
❄
First Fall Frost October 15

Morton Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Zone 6a Frost Countdown
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Last Frost: Apr 19 First Frost: Oct 15

🥬 Vegetables to Grow in Morton

107 vegetables matched to Zone 6a with planting dates calibrated for Morton.

Show all 107 vegetables with dates
Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Fall Plant Harvest Days to Maturity
Acorn Squash Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 26 – Aug 30 80–100
Amaranth Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Aug 2 – Sep 20 90–120
Arugula Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 24 – Jul 26 30–50
Asparagus — — May 3 — — 730–1095
Beets — Apr 5 — Aug 6 May 31 – Jun 28 50–70
Belgian Endive Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Aug 9 – Oct 4 110–150
Bitter Melon Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 5 – Aug 16 60–90
Black Beans — Apr 26 — — Jul 26 – Sep 13 90–120
Bok Choy Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 31 – Jul 5 40–60
Broccoli Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 21 – Aug 2 60–90
Broccoli Rabe Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 31 – Jul 5 40–60
Brussels Sprouts Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jul 19 – Sep 13 90–130
Butternut Squash Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Aug 2 – Sep 6 85–110
Cabbage Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 21 – Aug 16 60–100
Calabash Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 26 – Sep 20 80–120
Carrots — Apr 5 — Aug 6 Jun 7 – Jul 12 60–80
Cauliflower Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Aug 16 55–100
Celeriac Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Aug 2 – Sep 6 100–120
Celery Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jul 12 – Sep 6 80–120
Celtuce Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 21 – Aug 2 60–90
Chard Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Aug 2 50–60
Chickpeas Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jul 12 – Aug 23 80–110
Chicory Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 21 – Aug 2 60–85
Chinese Cabbage Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Jul 12 50–70
Christmas Lima Beans Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 26 – Aug 30 80–100
Collard Greens Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Aug 16 55–75
Corn — Apr 26 — — Jun 28 – Aug 23 60–100
Cowpeas — Apr 26 — — Jun 28 – Aug 9 60–90
Cress Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 3 – May 24 14–21
Crookneck Squash Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 21 – Jul 19 45–60
Crosne — Apr 5 — Aug 6 Sep 6 – Oct 18 150–200
Cucumber Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 28 – Aug 23 50–70
Daikon — Apr 5 — Aug 6 May 31 – Jun 28 50–70
Delicata Squash Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 26 – Aug 30 80–100
Edamame — Apr 26 — — Jul 12 – Aug 23 75–100
Eggplant Feb 8 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 12 – Sep 13 65–85
Endive Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 7 – Jul 12 45–65
Escarole Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Jul 12 50–70
Fava Beans Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jul 5 – Aug 16 75–100
Fennel Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 5 – Aug 16 60–90
Garlic — — — Sep 3 Dec 3 – Mar 18 90–240
Green Beans — Apr 26 — — Jun 21 – Aug 16 50–65
Horseradish — — May 3 — Sep 6 – Nov 15 120–180
Hot Peppers Feb 8 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 12 – Oct 18 70–120
Hubbard Squash Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Aug 16 – Sep 20 100–120
Kabocha Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Aug 2 – Aug 30 85–100
Kai Lan Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 7 – Jul 5 45–60
Kale Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Aug 9 50–70
Kidney Beans — Apr 26 — — Jul 26 – Aug 30 85–110
Kohlrabi Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 7 – Jul 12 45–65
Komatsuna Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 24 – Jun 28 35–50
Leeks Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jul 19 – Oct 4 90–150
Lentils Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jul 12 – Aug 23 80–110
Lettuce Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 24 – Aug 2 30–60
Lima Beans — Apr 26 — — Jun 28 – Aug 9 60–90
Loofah Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Aug 16 – Oct 18 100–150
Luffa Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Aug 2 – Oct 18 90–150
Mache Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 31 – Jul 5 40–60
Melon Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 12 – Aug 30 70–100
Microgreens Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Apr 26 – May 24 7–21
Mitsuba Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 Jun 7 – Aug 2 50–70
Mizuna Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 24 – Jun 21 30–45
Mustard Greens Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 24 – Jul 26 30–50
Napa Cabbage Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Jul 19 55–75
New Zealand Spinach Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 28 – Jul 26 55–70
Okra Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 28 – Aug 23 50–65
Onion Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jul 19 – Sep 6 90–120
Pac Choi Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 31 – Jun 28 40–55
Parsnip — Apr 5 — Aug 6 Jul 19 – Aug 30 100–130
Patty Pan Squash Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 21 – Jul 19 45–60
Peas Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Aug 9 55–70
Peppers Feb 8 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 5 – Sep 13 60–90
Pole Beans Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 28 – Aug 23 55–70
Potatoes Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 12 – Sep 20 70–120
Pumpkin Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Aug 2 – Sep 20 85–120
Purslane Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 31 – Jul 5 40–60
Radicchio Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 21 – Jul 26 60–80
Radish — Apr 5 — Aug 6 May 3 – May 24 22–35
Rhubarb — — May 10 — — 365–730
Romanesco Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jul 5 – Aug 16 75–100
Rutabaga — Apr 5 — Aug 6 Jun 28 – Aug 2 80–100
Salsify — Apr 5 — Aug 6 Jul 19 – Aug 30 100–130
Savoy Cabbage Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 28 – Aug 23 70–110
Scallions Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Jul 12 50–70
Scarlet Runner Beans Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 5 – Aug 9 60–80
Shallot Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jul 19 – Sep 6 90–120
Shiso Mar 1 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 28 – Aug 23 50–70
Snap Peas Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 28 – Aug 23 55–70
Snow Peas Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Aug 9 50–65
Soybeans — Apr 26 — — Jul 19 – Sep 13 80–120
Spaghetti Squash Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Aug 2 – Aug 30 85–100
Spinach Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 24 – Jul 26 35–50
Squash (Summer) Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 21 – Aug 23 45–65
Squash (Winter) Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 26 – Sep 20 80–120
Sunchoke — — May 3 — Aug 23 – Oct 18 110–150
Sweet Corn — Apr 26 — — Jun 28 – Aug 9 60–90
Sweet Potatoes Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Aug 2 – Sep 20 90–120
Tatsoi Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 24 – Jun 28 35–50
Tomatillo Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 5 – Sep 13 60–85
Tomatoes Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 5 – Sep 13 60–85
Turnip — Apr 5 — Aug 6 May 17 – Jun 21 40–60
Watercress Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 19 Aug 6 May 31 – Jul 5 40–60
Watermelon Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Jul 12 – Aug 30 70–100
Wax Beans — Apr 26 — — Jun 21 – Aug 16 50–65
Winter Melon Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Aug 2 – Sep 20 90–120
Yard Long Beans Feb 22 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 28 – Aug 9 55–80
Zucchini Mar 15 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 21 – Aug 16 45–60

🍓 Fruits to Grow in Morton

27 fruits matched to Zone 6a with planting dates calibrated for Morton.

Show all 27 fruits with dates
Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Fall Plant Harvest Days to Maturity
Alpine Strawberries — — May 10 — Aug 9 – Nov 22 90–180
Aronia — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Blackberries — — May 10 — — 365–730
Blueberries — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Boysenberries — — May 10 — — 365–730
Cantaloupe — — May 10 — Jul 19 – Aug 23 70–90
Che Fruit — — May 10 — — 1095–1825
Cranberries — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Currants — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Elderberries — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Goji Berries — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Gooseberries — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Grapes — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Ground Cherry — — May 10 — Jul 19 – Sep 13 65–80
Hardy Kiwi — — May 10 — — 1095–1825
Haskaps — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Honeydew — — May 10 — Aug 2 – Sep 13 80–110
Jostaberry — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Lingonberries — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Medlar — — May 10 — — 1095–1825
Mulberries — — May 10 — — 730–1825
Pawpaw — — May 10 — — 1095–2555
Persimmon — — May 10 — — 1095–2555
Quince — — May 10 — — 1095–1825
Raspberries — — May 10 — — 365–730
Serviceberries — — May 10 — — 730–1095
Strawberries — — May 10 — Aug 9 – Nov 22 90–365

🌿 Herbs to Grow in Morton

35 herbs matched to Zone 6a with planting dates calibrated for Morton.

Show all 35 herbs with dates
Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Fall Plant Harvest Days to Maturity
Angelica Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 — 365–730
Anise Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 Jul 12 – Sep 27 90–120
Basil Mar 1 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 28 – Aug 30 50–75
Bee Balm — — Apr 26 — Jul 26 – Oct 11 90–120
Borage Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 Jun 7 – Jul 26 50–60
Caraway Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 — 365–450
Catnip — — Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Aug 30 60–80
Chamomile Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Aug 23 60–90
Chervil Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 May 24 – Jul 26 40–60
Chives — — Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Sep 6 60–90
Cilantro Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 May 24 – Jul 26 40–60
Comfrey — — Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Sep 6 60–90
Cumin Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 Jul 26 – Sep 27 100–120
Dill Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 May 24 – Jul 26 40–60
Epazote Mar 1 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 21 – Aug 16 45–60
Fennel (herb) Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Aug 23 60–90
Feverfew — — Apr 26 — Jul 26 – Oct 11 90–120
Garlic Chives — — Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Sep 6 60–90
Horehound — — Apr 26 — Jul 12 – Sep 6 75–90
Hyssop — — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Sep 6 70–90
Lemon Balm — — Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Aug 16 60–70
Lemon Thyme — — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Sep 6 70–90
Lovage — — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Sep 6 70–90
Marjoram — — Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Sep 6 60–90
Mint — — Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Sep 6 60–90
Oregano — — Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Sep 6 60–90
Parsley Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 Jun 14 – Aug 16 60–80
Rue — — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Sep 6 70–90
Sage — — Apr 26 — Jul 12 – Sep 6 75–90
Savory — — Apr 26 — Jun 21 – Aug 16 50–70
Sorrel Mar 15 Apr 5 Apr 12 Aug 6 May 24 – Jul 26 40–60
Tarragon — — Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Sep 6 60–90
Thai Basil Mar 1 Apr 26 May 3 — Jun 28 – Aug 30 50–75
Thyme — — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Sep 6 70–90
Valerian — — Apr 26 — Aug 30 – Nov 8 120–180

🌸 Flowers to Grow in Morton

53 flowers matched to Zone 6a with planting dates calibrated for Morton.

Show all 53 flowers with dates
Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Fall Plant Bloom Days to Maturity
Ageratum Mar 1 Apr 19 Apr 19 — Jun 14 – Sep 20 60–75
Alliums — — — Sep 3 Oct 1 – Oct 29 28–42
Anemones Mar 22 — Apr 19 — May 24 – Jun 21 90–120
Astilbe Feb 15 — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Sep 13 70–100
Bachelor's Button Mar 8 Mar 22 Apr 19 Sep 3 Jun 21 – Sep 6 60–90
Begonias Feb 8 — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 4 70–90
Black-eyed Susan Feb 15 Apr 19 Apr 26 — Jul 12 – Oct 25 60–80
Bleeding Hearts Feb 15 — Apr 26 — Jun 21 – Jul 26 60–90
Calendula Mar 8 Mar 22 Apr 19 — Jun 7 – Sep 6 50–70
California Poppy — Mar 22 — — May 31 – Jul 12 60–90
Celosia Mar 15 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Oct 11 60–90
Columbine Feb 15 May 3 May 3 — Jun 28 – Aug 2 70–100
Coreopsis Feb 15 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 25 60–80
Cosmos Mar 22 Apr 19 Apr 19 — Jun 28 – Oct 4 60–90
Crocus — — — Sep 3 Jul 23 – Aug 13 10–20
Daffodils — — — Sep 3 Jul 30 – Aug 20 20–40
Dahlias Mar 22 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jul 12 – Oct 25 70–120
Daylily Feb 15 — Apr 26 — Jul 12 – Oct 25 60–90
Dianthus Feb 22 Mar 22 Apr 5 — May 24 – Aug 23 60–80
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Feb 15 May 3 May 3 — Jul 26 – Nov 1 70–90
Foxglove Feb 15 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jun 21 – Jul 26 80–120
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Mar 1 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Nov 8 70–100
Geraniums Feb 8 — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 4 70–100
Gladiolus — Apr 19 Apr 19 — Jul 5 – Oct 18 70–100
Hostas Feb 8 — Apr 26 — Jul 12 – Oct 25 60–90
Hyacinths — — — Sep 3 Aug 20 – Sep 10 14–28
Hydrangeas Feb 8 — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 11 90–150
Impatiens Feb 22 — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 11 60–75
Irises — Division Apr 26 — Jun 21 – Jul 19 60–100
Larkspur — Mar 22 — — May 31 – Jul 26 60–90
Lavender Feb 8 — May 3 — Jul 12 – Sep 6 90–120
Lilies — Division Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 11 70–120
Lobelia Feb 15 — Apr 5 — May 31 – Aug 23 70–80
Lupine Feb 15 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jun 21 – Jul 26 75–100
Marigolds Mar 8 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jun 21 – Sep 20 50–70
Nasturtium Mar 22 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jun 21 – Oct 11 55–65
Pansy Feb 8 — Apr 19 Aug 20 Jun 14 – Aug 16 70–90
Peonies — Division Apr 26 — Jun 28 – Aug 2 90–120
Petunia Feb 22 — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 11 70–90
Phlox Feb 15 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Sep 27 80–110
Portulaca Mar 15 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jun 14 – Sep 27 50–70
Ranunculus Mar 8 — Apr 19 — May 31 – Jun 28 90–120
Roses Feb 8 — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 25 90–180
Salvia Feb 15 — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 11 70–90
Sedum (Stonecrop) Feb 15 — Apr 26 — Aug 16 – Nov 1 60–90
Snapdragon Feb 8 Mar 29 Apr 19 — Jun 28 – Sep 6 70–100
Sunflower Mar 29 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jul 19 – Oct 11 70–100
Sweet Alyssum Mar 1 Mar 29 Apr 19 — May 31 – Aug 9 45–60
Sweet Pea Mar 8 Mar 15 Apr 19 — Jul 5 – Sep 13 65–85
Tulips — — — Sep 3 Aug 13 – Sep 10 15–30
Vinca (Annual) Feb 8 — Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 11 70–90
Yarrow Feb 15 Apr 19 Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 25 60–90
Zinnia Mar 22 Apr 26 Apr 26 — Jul 5 – Oct 11 60–70

Monthly Planting Guide for Morton

ZIP Codes in Morton

Click any ZIP to see its specific frost, soil, and climate measurements (some ZIPs differ noticeably from the town aggregate):

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Town-level data is aggregated from per-ZIP NOAA GHCN-D measurements (1 ZIP code in Morton), USDA SSURGO soil survey, and the US Drought Monitor weekly archive. Frost dates represent 50% probability averages; local conditions vary by elevation and microclimate. Last updated: July 2026.

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