When to plant in Bloomington, IL
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Bloomington, Illinois — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6a, Bloomington gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
The average first fall frost in Bloomington is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
NORMAL 4NE · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Bloomington’s own odds, recorded at NORMAL 4NE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 22 | May 4 | Apr 21 | Sep 23 | Oct 5 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 11 | Apr 25 | Apr 11 | Oct 2 | Oct 16 | Oct 29 |
| 28°F | May 1 | Apr 14 | Apr 1 | Oct 12 | Oct 27 | Nov 12 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Bloomington, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 28 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Bloomington planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Bloomington, IL?
On average, the last spring frost in Bloomington is around April 25 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Bloomington, IL?
Expect Bloomington's first fall frost near October 16 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Bloomington in?
Bloomington is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Bloomington?
Bloomington has about 174 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 25) and first fall frost (October 16).
When should I plant tomatoes in Bloomington?
For Bloomington, sow tomatoes indoors about February 28–March 14 and move the seedlings out around May 2, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Bloomington
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Bloomington’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Normal · 5 km
- Morton · 45 km
- Washington · 47 km
- Lincoln · 50 km
- East Peoria · 53 km
- Pontiac · 54 km
- Pekin · 56 km
- Mahomet · 59 km
Frost dates recorded at NORMAL 4NE, 8 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Bloomington, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00116200. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/bloomington.