Illinois is a significant agricultural force within the United States, known for its productive farmland and rich soil. The annual harvest season represents the culmination of the growing cycle, marking the period when mature crops are collected from the fields. This yearly event spans several months, reflecting the diversity of cultivated plants and varying maturity schedules across the state.
Peak Harvest Season: Corn and Soybeans
The traditional Illinois harvest is defined by field corn and soybeans, the state’s dominant commodity crops. This peak season typically begins in late September and continues through October, often extending into November, depending on weather and field conditions. The start date is determined by the plant’s physiological readiness, driven by accumulated heat units throughout the summer.
Farmers monitor the grain’s moisture content closely, aiming for a level that minimizes drying costs while preventing spoilage in storage. Corn requires significant drying time in the field or mechanical drying after harvest to reach the optimal storage moisture, generally around 15%. The first significant frost can hasten the end of the corn plant’s life cycle, triggering a rapid dry-down phase that signals the final push for harvest.
These two major crops are often harvested sequentially or simultaneously. Soybeans generally dry down faster than field corn, allowing their harvest to often precede or overlap with the main corn harvest period. The intensive nature of these operations means that the autumn months are dominated by the sight and sound of combines working across the Illinois landscape.
Early Summer Harvest: Wheat and Hay
An earlier harvest period centers on winter wheat and forage crops. Winter wheat is planted in the fall, lies dormant over the colder months, and is ready for harvest in the late spring and early summer. The harvest window for this grain typically opens in mid-June in southern Illinois and progresses north, concluding by early July.
This early timing allows farmers in the southern half of the state to practice double-cropping. They plant soybeans immediately into the wheat stubble to yield two crops from the same field in one season. This management strategy increases land efficiency and provides income before the main fall harvest begins.
Hay and other forage crops also contribute to the early summer harvest schedule. The first cutting of alfalfa or grass hay is usually completed by late June. These crops often undergo multiple cuttings throughout the summer as the forage regrows, supporting the state’s livestock industry.
Specialty Crops and Seasonal Produce
A wide variety of specialty crops and produce contribute to the Illinois harvest calendar, particularly for local markets and direct consumer sales. The summer months bring fresh vegetables, with crops like tomatoes, sweet corn, and green beans reaching their peak harvest from July through September. Watermelons, which thrive in the state’s sandy soils, are typically ready for harvest from August through October.
The transition to autumn is marked by orchard fruits and gourds, driving seasonal activities like apple picking and visits to pumpkin patches. Apples are harvested across many varieties, starting as early as July for summer apples and continuing through October for the storage varieties.
The Illinois pumpkin harvest is concentrated in September and October, defining the atmosphere of the fall season. Illinois is recognized for its pumpkin production, supplying a large percentage of the nation’s canned pumpkin. This makes the harvest a significant, localized event. These diverse harvests ensure that fresh produce is available across the state for many months.