When to plant in Pekin, IL
USDA Zone 6aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Pekin, Illinois — all computed from Pekin's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 6a, Pekin gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
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 Pekin’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 Pekin, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 41 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.
Pekin planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Pekin, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Pekin around April 16 (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 Pekin, IL?
The first fall frost in Pekin typically arrives around October 23 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Pekin in?
Pekin 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 Pekin?
Pekin has about 190 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 16) and first fall frost (October 23).
When should I plant tomatoes in Pekin?
For Pekin, sow tomatoes indoors about February 19–March 5 and move the seedlings out around April 23, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Pekin
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Pekin’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- East Peoria · 14 km
- Morton · 14 km
- Peoria · 20 km
- Washington · 22 km
- Canton · 35 km
- Lincoln · 51 km
- Normal · 54 km
- Bloomington · 56 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 Pekin, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014842. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/pekin.