When to plant in Normal, IL
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Normal, Illinois — all computed from Normal's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 6a means Normal 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 Normal 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 Normal’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 Normal, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 24 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.
Normal planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Normal, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Normal around April 25 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Normal, IL?
The first fall frost in Normal typically arrives around October 16 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Normal in?
Normal 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 Normal?
There are roughly 174 frost-free days in Normal (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 25 to the first fall frost near October 16.
When should I plant tomatoes in Normal?
In Normal, start tomato seeds indoors around February 28–March 14, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 2 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Normal
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Normal’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Bloomington · 5 km
- Morton · 41 km
- Washington · 43 km
- East Peoria · 49 km
- Pontiac · 51 km
- Lincoln · 52 km
- Pekin · 54 km
- Peoria · 59 km
Frost dates recorded at NORMAL 4NE, 5 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 Normal, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00116200. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/normal.