Illinois · Garden vegetables
Typically mid-April to mid-June, and again early September to mid-November, with peak early May through late May.
Hatched chalk = early and late shoulders; solid = peak.
Southern Illinois runs two to three weeks ahead of Chicago-area farms.
From mid-April, and again early September — first pickings, lighter supply, best prices come later.
early May through late May; again mid-September through mid-October — full stalls, full flavor. This is the stretch to plan around.
Through mid-November — quantity for preserving, and the stalls start dealing.
about 19 weeks end to end, shoulders included.
Spinach peak moves across the map. After this window, it lands next in:
In Illinois, the spinach season typically runs mid-April to mid-June, and again early September to mid-November, with peak availability early May through late May. Exact weeks shift a little with each year's weather.
Rarely offered u-pick; buy same-day cut bunches at spring and fall market stalls. The best market weeks are early May through late May.
about 19 weeks end to end — mid-April to mid-June, and again early September to mid-November. The early and late shoulders are real but lighter; the solid stretch of chalk on the band is the sure bet.