When to plant in East Peoria, IL
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in East Peoria, Illinois — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6a means East Peoria sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP · 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 East Peoria’s own odds, recorded at PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 14 | Apr 27 | Apr 14 | Sep 28 | Oct 14 | Oct 25 |
| 32°F | May 4 | Apr 16 | Apr 2 | Oct 9 | Oct 23 | Nov 3 |
| 28°F | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Mar 19 | Oct 21 | Nov 2 | Nov 16 |
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 East Peoria, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 34 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.
East Peoria planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in East Peoria, IL?
East Peoria's average last spring frost falls near April 16 — 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 East Peoria, IL?
Expect East Peoria's first fall frost near October 23 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is East Peoria in?
East Peoria 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 East Peoria?
There are roughly 190 frost-free days in East Peoria (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 16 to the first fall frost near October 23.
When should I plant tomatoes in East Peoria?
In East Peoria, start tomato seeds indoors around February 19–March 5, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 23 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in East Peoria
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to East Peoria’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Morton · 9 km
- Washington · 10 km
- Peoria · 11 km
- Pekin · 14 km
- Canton · 44 km
- Normal · 49 km
- Bloomington · 53 km
- Lincoln · 60 km
Frost dates recorded at PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, 12 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 East Peoria, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014842. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/east-peoria.