When to Plant Lovage in Dixon, Illinois (61021)

Location

Dixon, Illinois

ZIP Code

61021

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Saturday, April 25, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Saturday, May 9, 2026

Based on last frost Saturday, April 25, 2026 · Zone 5b

Pro tip: Start Lovage seeds indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Saturday, May 9, 2026.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Levisticum officinale

Days to Maturity 365 days

Mature Height 36-84"

Spread 36"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun to Partial Shade

💧

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

24" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.25" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 10-21 days

Ready to Plant Lovage in Dixon?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Saturday, February 28, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

CarrotCeleryPotato

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Lovage

See which plants help Lovage thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🟢 Easy

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Let seed umbels dry on the plant. Harvest when seeds are brown and aromatic.

Processing

Cut seed heads into a bag, dry 1 week, thresh to separate seeds from stalks.

Seed Viability

Up to 2 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Lovage crosses with other Apiaceae family members like celery and parsley — isolate if growing multiple.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 8 plants of Lovage. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lovage in Dixon, Illinois? +

In Dixon (Zone 5b), start Lovage seeds indoors around Saturday, February 28, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Saturday, May 9, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Dixon, Illinois? +

The average last spring frost date for Dixon, Illinois (ZIP 61021) is around Saturday, April 25, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 5b.

How long does Lovage take to grow? +

Lovage typically matures in about 365 days from transplanting. In Dixon, that means you can expect harvest around Saturday, May 9, 2026 plus 365 days.

Should I start Lovage indoors or direct sow in Illinois? +

Lovage should be started indoors 8 weeks before your last frost date. In Dixon, that means starting around Saturday, February 28, 2026.

📚 More Lovage Planting Guides

🗺️

Lovage in Illinois

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 5b Lovage Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Dixon

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Lovage in Zone 5b

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) is a popular garden vegetable. In Dixon, Illinois, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, you should start seeds indoors around Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Plan to transplant your Lovage seedlings outdoors around Saturday, May 9, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.