When to plant in Peoria, IL
USDA Zone 6aPeoria, Illinois frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 6a, Peoria 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 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 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.
Peoria planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Peoria, IL?
Plan for the last spring frost in Peoria 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 Peoria, IL?
In Peoria, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 23 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Peoria in?
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 Peoria?
Peoria 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 Peoria?
For Peoria, 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 Peoria
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Peoria’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- East Peoria · 11 km
- Washington · 16 km
- Morton · 20 km
- Pekin · 20 km
- Canton · 41 km
- Normal · 59 km
- Kewanee · 60 km
- Bloomington · 63 km
Frost dates recorded at PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, 11 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 Peoria, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014842. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/peoria.