Frost Dates for Normal, IL 61761
Last spring frost April 23 · First fall frost October 9 · 169 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 61761 has about 54,100 people.
Moderate season: 169 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 7–May 9 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 26–October 23 (27 days).
Frost probability for 61761
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 23 | April 7 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 26 | October 9 | October 23 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CHENOA (31.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 169-day season in Normal
In Normal (169 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 19 | May 7–May 14 | 127 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after May 7. | Jun 9 |
| Pepper | Mar 12 | May 7–May 14 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 7. | Jun 14 |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Apr 2. | Aug 7 |
| Cucumber | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 20 |
| Peas | — | Feb 26–May 7 | 232 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 232 available after Feb 26. | Jul 29 |
| Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Onion | Jan 29 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 26–Apr 16 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Kale | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 26. | Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 26. | Aug 7 |
| Radish | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 16. | Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 9 | 274 | overwinter: Plant Oct 9 to Oct 30; harvest the following summer. | Oct 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 19–May 14 | 225 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 141 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 30. | Jun 21 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 9 | May 7–May 7 | 134 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 134 available after May 7. | May 27 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 16. | Jul 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 218 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 26. | Jul 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 134 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 134 available after May 7. | May 27 |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 127 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 127 available after May 7. | Jun 19 |
| Okra | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Basil | Mar 19 | May 14–May 14 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 26–Apr 16 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Parsley | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 169 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 30. | Jul 24 |
| Celery | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 14 | 169 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 30. | Jun 4 |
| Scallions | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 18 |
| Collards | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 127 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 127 available after May 7. | Jun 4 |
| Chives | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Oregano | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Sage | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Cosmos | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Lavender | Jan 29 | Apr 23–May 7 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 23 |
| Melons | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 127 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 127 available after May 7. | Jun 4 |
| Mint | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 148 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 30. | Jul 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 134 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 134 available after May 7. | Jun 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 155 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after Apr 23. | Jul 3 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 134 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after Apr 30. | Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 134 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 134 available after Apr 30. | Jun 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 18 |
| Zinnias | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 155 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
Month by month in Normal
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 29), Lavender (Jan 29), Onion (Jan 29), Rosemary (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 12), Collards (Feb 12), Kale (Feb 12), Oregano (Feb 12), Parsley (Feb 12), Scallions (Feb 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 26), Beets (Feb 26), Dill (Feb 26), Peas (Feb 26), Radish (Feb 26), Spinach (Feb 26). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 5), Calendula (Mar 12), Cauliflower (Mar 12), Marigolds (Mar 12), Pepper (Mar 12), Basil (Mar 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 12), Cilantro (Mar 26), Turnip (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 26), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 26), Cabbage (Mar 26), Collards (Mar 26), Kale (Mar 26), Lettuce (Mar 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 19). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 2), Butternut Squash (Apr 9), Cantaloupe (Apr 9), Melons (Apr 9), Pumpkin (Apr 9), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 9), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 2), Potatoes (Apr 9), Sunflowers (Apr 23), Beans (Apr 30), Pole Beans (Apr 30). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 9), Swiss Chard (Apr 9), Bok Choy (Apr 16), Cauliflower (Apr 16), Cosmos (Apr 23), Lavender (Apr 23), +15 more. Last frost around April 23. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 7), Cantaloupe (May 7), Cucumber (May 7), Eggplant (May 7), Melons (May 7), Pepper (May 7), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 27), Pumpkin (May 27). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 4), Celery (Jun 4), Melons (Jun 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 6), Tomato (Jun 9), Watermelon (Jun 9), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 3), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 8), Pole Beans (Jul 8), Basil (Jul 13), Cosmos (Jul 13), Cucumber (Jul 13), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 7), Carrots (Aug 7), Beets (Aug 8), Dill (Aug 8), Swiss Chard (Aug 8), Calendula (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 6), Spinach (Sep 6), Radish (Sep 7). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 9). First frost around October 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 30). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Normal, IL (ZIP 61761)?
The median last spring frost date for Normal, IL (ZIP code 61761) is around April 23. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 7; one in ten it runs past May 9.
What is the first fall frost date in Normal, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Normal, IL is around October 9. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 26 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Normal, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Normal is about 169 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Normal (169 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Normal, IL?
Normal, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Normal, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 19 and plant out May 7 in Normal. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Normal?
Two: plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 16.
When do I plant garlic in Normal?
Oct 9 to Oct 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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