Summer Planting Guide: What to Grow Right Now in Illinois

Summer Planting Guide: What to Grow Right Now in Illinois

Summer Planting Guide: What to Grow Right Now in Illinois

If you're gardening in the Chicago suburbs, late June through early July is one of the most exciting — and critical — windows of the growing season. The soil is warm, the days are long, and there's still plenty of time to get a full harvest or a season's worth of color before the first frost hits in mid-October.

Here's what we're planting right now at The Garage Gardener, with tips specific to our Zone 5b/6a climate in the South Elgin area.

🌸 Flowers: Color That Lasts All Summer

Begonia – Non Stop Series

Non Stop Begonias are one of our absolute best sellers — and for good reason. They bloom continuously from planting until frost without deadheading, making them a low-maintenance powerhouse for containers, window boxes, and shaded beds.

  • Best for: Part shade to full shade spots
  • Illinois tip: Plant in well-draining soil or containers. Our humid summers can cause rot if water sits around the crown — elevate pots slightly or use a gritty mix.
  • Planting window: Now through mid-July for full-season color

Impatiens – SunPatiens Compact

Unlike traditional impatiens, SunPatiens thrive in full sun and are resistant to impatiens downy mildew — a disease that wiped out many Illinois gardens in recent years. These are vigorous, heat-tolerant, and stunning in mass plantings.

  • Best for: Full sun to part shade; containers, beds, and borders
  • Illinois tip: Water deeply but infrequently during July heat waves. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
  • Planting window: Plant now — they'll fill in fast and bloom through October

🌿 Herbs: Fresh Flavor from Your Garden

Basil

Basil is a summer staple, and it's not too late to get a great crop going. Basil loves heat — it actually sulks in cool weather — so late June is prime planting time in Illinois.

  • Best for: Full sun, 6+ hours per day
  • Illinois tip: Pinch off flower buds as soon as they appear to keep leaves coming all season. Once basil bolts, the flavor turns bitter. Harvest regularly to encourage bushy growth.
  • Pairs well with: Tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and homemade pesto
  • Planting window: Now through early July

🥒 Vegetables: Still Time for a Great Harvest

Slicing Cucumber

Cucumbers are fast growers — most varieties go from transplant to harvest in 50–65 days. That means a plant going in the ground today can be producing by mid-August, with harvests running through September.

  • Best for: Full sun, warm soil, consistent moisture
  • Illinois tip: Train vines up a trellis or cage to save space and improve air circulation — this reduces powdery mildew, which is common in our humid late summers. Water at the base, not overhead.
  • Harvest tip: Pick cucumbers when they're 6–8 inches long. Leaving overripe fruit on the vine signals the plant to stop producing.

Jalapeño – Megatron Pepper

The Megatron jalapeño is a heavy-producing variety with thick walls and classic heat — perfect for salsas, pickling, or grilling. Peppers love our hot Illinois summers and will keep producing right up until frost.

  • Best for: Full sun, well-drained soil
  • Illinois tip: If we hit a stretch of 90°F+ days, peppers may temporarily drop blossoms — don't panic. They'll resume setting fruit when temps moderate. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  • Harvest tip: Pick jalapeños green for milder heat, or leave them to turn red for a sweeter, hotter flavor.

📅 Illinois Seasonal Planting Schedule

Here's a quick reference for the South Elgin / Chicagoland area (Zone 5b/6a, average last frost May 1, first frost Oct 15):

Month What to Plant
April Cool-season crops: lettuce, spinach, kale, pansies, snapdragons
May Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, annuals after last frost (May 1–15)
June Cucumbers, basil, summer annuals, begonias, SunPatiens, jalapeños
July Second succession of herbs and fast-maturing veggies; fill gaps with annuals
August Fall crops: kale, spinach, radishes; plant mums and asters for fall color
September Spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils); garlic for next year

🌱 Quick Tips for Illinois Summer Gardening

  • Water deeply, not daily. Aim for 1–1.5 inches per week. Deep watering encourages roots to grow down, making plants more drought-tolerant.
  • Mulch everything. A 2–3 inch layer of mulch keeps soil cool, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds — all critical during July and August heat.
  • Watch for Japanese beetles. Peak season in Chicagoland is late June through July. Hand-pick in the morning when they're sluggish, or use neem oil as a deterrent.
  • Fertilize containers every 2 weeks. Frequent watering flushes nutrients from pots fast. A balanced liquid fertilizer keeps things blooming and producing.

Have questions about what to plant or how to care for your garden this summer? Stop by or reach out — we're always happy to help. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for weekly tips, new arrivals, and behind-the-scenes garden content.

Happy growing! 🌿
— Mitch & Kelly The Garage Gardener Team

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