Determine Your Zone

• Begin scheduling your timetable by determining the date the last frost is expected in the spring. The U.S. Department of Agriculture publishes a hardiness zone map that lists this date for each of the seven zones in the continental United States. Most of Illinois is in Zone 5, except for a small section in the northwest corner, which is in Zone 4, and the southern quarter, which is in Zone 6. The frost-safe date for each zone is the point on which your planting schedule will revolve. Most seed packets have this map printed on the back. If you can't tell which zone you live in from this map, type your zip code on the Burpee Seed Company website and your zone will be determined for you.
  
  

Plan Your Garden

• List the plants you want to grow in your garden. The plant types will determine when they must be planted in relation to the frost-safe date for your zone. For example, certain plants, such as asparagus and broccoli, can be planted outside in the garden four to six weeks prior to the frost-free date. Others must wait until after that date, while still others must not be planted until a few weeks later when the soil is warmer. Once you decide what you want to grow, choose your plants accordingly.
  
  

Determine Planting Schedule

• Use a calendar to schedule the dates for planting your garden. Pinpoint the frost-safe date on the calendar and plan everything around that. Count out six weeks before this date if you intend to plant onion sets, potato tubers, asparagus, broccoli or cabbage. Seeds for lettuce, spinach, peas, turnips and collards can be planted outside in the garden four to six weeks prior to the last frost as well. Plant cauliflower two to three weeks before the last frost, as well as seeds for radishes, beets, carrots, parsnips and mustard plants. Wait until all danger of frost is past before planting tomato plants. Start seeds for sweet corn, zucchini and other summer squash, and beans on or just after the last frost of the spring. Wait two or three weeks after the last frost to plant vegetables such as vining plants like pumpkins, watermelons, cantaloupe and cucumbers, as well as eggplant, peppers and sweet potatoes. Follow planting date guidelines listed on the backs of seed packets and on plants purchased from garden centers.