Normal, IL planting zone & frost dates
Normal is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 25 and the first fall frost around October 16, for a growing season of about 172 days.
Planting calendar for Normal
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 25) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: May 9 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: May 9 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 Transplant outdoors: May 2 – May 9 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 21 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 16).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 11 | Apr 25 | May 11 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 29 | Oct 16 | Oct 2 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 11, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 2. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 14.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Normal
- 61761 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- Bloomington zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Washington zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Morton zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Pontiac zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
- Lincoln zone 6a, last frost Apr 20
- East Peoria zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
- Peoria zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
- Streator zone 5b, last frost Apr 12
Questions
What growing zone is Normal, IL?
Normal is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Normal?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Normal is April 25. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 11.
When can I plant tomatoes in Normal?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 2 – May 9. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Normal 4Ne, IL (USC00116200), 5.2 km (3.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 241 m, based on 26 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.