When to plant in Pontiac, IL
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Pontiac, Illinois — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 6a means Pontiac sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
PONTIAC · 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 Pontiac’s own odds, recorded at PONTIAC.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 11 | Apr 26 | Apr 13 | Oct 2 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
| 32°F | May 2 | Apr 16 | Apr 3 | Oct 12 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 |
| 28°F | Apr 19 | Apr 4 | Mar 20 | Oct 23 | Nov 3 | Nov 18 |
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 Pontiac, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 27 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.
Pontiac planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Pontiac, IL?
On average, the last spring frost in Pontiac is around April 16 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Pontiac, IL?
The first fall frost in Pontiac typically arrives around October 24 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Pontiac in?
Pontiac 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 Pontiac?
There are roughly 191 frost-free days in Pontiac (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 16 to the first fall frost near October 24.
When should I plant tomatoes in Pontiac?
In Pontiac, 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 Pontiac
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Pontiac’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at PONTIAC, 1 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 Pontiac, IL — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00116910. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/illinois/pontiac.