When to plant in Canton, IL
USDA Zone 6aCanton, Illinois frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Canton's nearest full-normals station sits about 29 km out, so treat these as a close estimate — local microclimate can nudge your first and last frost. Zone 6a means Canton sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in Canton is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
HAVANA · 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 Canton’s own odds, recorded at HAVANA.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 11 | Apr 26 | Apr 13 | Sep 24 | Oct 8 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F | May 3 | Apr 17 | Apr 2 | Oct 1 | Oct 19 | Oct 31 |
| 28°F | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Mar 22 | Oct 15 | Oct 29 | Nov 13 |
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 Canton, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 36 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.
Canton planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Canton, IL?
Canton's average last spring frost falls near April 17 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Canton, IL?
Expect Canton's first fall frost near October 19 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Canton in?
Canton 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 Canton?
There are roughly 185 frost-free days in Canton (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 17 to the first fall frost near October 19.
When should I plant tomatoes in Canton?
In Canton, start tomato seeds indoors around February 20–March 6, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 24 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Canton
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Canton’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Pekin · 35 km
- Peoria · 41 km
- East Peoria · 44 km
- Morton · 48 km
- Galesburg · 52 km
- Washington · 53 km
- Macomb · 56 km
- Lincoln · 73 km
Frost dates recorded at HAVANA, 29 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 Canton, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00113940. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/canton.