Peoria, IL planting zone & frost dates
Peoria is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 16 and the first fall frost around October 23, for a growing season of about 189 days.
Planting calendar for Peoria
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 16) 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 19 – Mar 5 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5 – Mar 19 Transplant outdoors: Apr 23 – Apr 30 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 28 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 23).
Useful for zone 6a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 2 | Apr 16 | May 4 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 3 | Oct 23 | Oct 9 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 4, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 9. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 5.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Peoria
- 61601 zone 6a
- 61602 zone 6a
- 61603 zone 6a
- 61604 zone 6a
- 61605 zone 6a
- 61606 zone 6a
- 61607 zone 6a
- 61612 zone 5b
- 61613 zone 6a
- 61614 zone 6a
- 61615 zone 6a
- 61629 zone 6a
- 61630 zone 6a
- 61633 zone 6a
- 61634 zone 6a
- 61636 zone 6a
- 61637 zone 6a
- 61638 zone 5b
- 61639 zone 6a
- 61641 zone 6a
- 61643 zone 6a
- 61650 zone 6a
- 61651 zone 6a
- 61652 zone 6a
- 61653 zone 6a
- 61654 zone 6a
- 61655 zone 6a
- 61656 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- North Peoria zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
- East Peoria zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
- Pekin zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
- Morton zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Washington zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Canton zone 6a, last frost Apr 17
- Lincoln zone 6a, last frost Apr 20
- Normal zone 6a, last frost Apr 25
Questions
What growing zone is Peoria, IL?
Peoria is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 5b.
When is the last frost in Peoria?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Peoria is April 16. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 4.
When can I plant tomatoes in Peoria?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 23 – Apr 30. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Peoria Gtr Peoria Ap, IL (USW00014842), 8.5 km (5.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 198 m, based on 30 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.