Frost Dates for Peoria, IL 61606
Peoria has 9 ZIP codes. The Peoria, IL frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 23 · First fall frost October 12 · 172 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 61606 has about 6,680 people, one of 9 ZIP codes in Peoria.
Moderate season: 172 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 8–May 8 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans September 25–October 28 (33 days).
Frost probability for 61606
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 8 | April 23 | April 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 25 | October 12 | October 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LACON (39.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 172-day season in Peoria
In Peoria (172 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 | 130 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 130 available after May 7. | Jun 12 |
| Pepper | Mar 12 | May 7–May 14 | 130 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 130 available after May 7. | Jun 17 |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 2. | Aug 10 |
| Cucumber | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Peas | — | Feb 26–May 7 | 235 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 235 available after Feb 26. | Aug 1 |
| Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Onion | Jan 29 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 207 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 207 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 26–Apr 16 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Kale | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 207 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 207 available after Mar 26. | Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 26. | Aug 10 |
| Radish | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Oct 19. | Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 12 | 277 | overwinter: Plant Oct 12 to Nov 2; harvest the following summer. | Nov 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 19–May 14 | 228 | 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 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 30. | Jun 24 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 9 | May 7–May 7 | 137 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 137 available after May 7. | May 30 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 16. | Jul 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 26. | Jul 11 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 137 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 137 available after May 7. | May 30 |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 130 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 130 available after May 7. | Jun 22 |
| Okra | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Basil | Mar 19 | May 14–May 14 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 26–Apr 16 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Parsley | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 30. | Jul 27 |
| Celery | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 14 | 172 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 30. | Jun 7 |
| Scallions | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 21 |
| Collards | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 130 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 130 available after May 7. | Jun 7 |
| Chives | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Oregano | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Sage | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Cosmos | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Lavender | Jan 29 | Apr 23–May 7 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 26 |
| Melons | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 130 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 130 available after May 7. | Jun 7 |
| Mint | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 151 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 30. | Jul 11 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 137 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 137 available after May 7. | Jun 9 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 23. | Jul 6 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after Apr 30. | Jun 17 |
| Watermelon | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after Apr 30. | Jun 12 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 21 |
| Zinnias | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
Month by month in Peoria
| 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 30), Pumpkin (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 7), Celery (Jun 7), Melons (Jun 7), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 9), Tomato (Jun 12), Watermelon (Jun 12), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 6), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 11), Pole Beans (Jul 11), Basil (Jul 16), Cosmos (Jul 16), Cucumber (Jul 16), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 1), Cabbage (Aug 10), Carrots (Aug 10), Beets (Aug 11), Dill (Aug 11), Swiss Chard (Aug 11), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 9), Spinach (Sep 9), Radish (Sep 10). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 12). First frost around October 12. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 2). |
| 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 Peoria, IL (ZIP 61606)?
The median last spring frost date for Peoria, IL (ZIP code 61606) 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 8; one in ten it runs past May 8.
What is the first fall frost date in Peoria, IL?
The median first fall frost date for Peoria, IL is around October 12. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Peoria, IL?
The frost-free growing season in Peoria is about 172 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 Peoria (172 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 Peoria, IL?
Peoria, 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 Peoria, IL?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 19 and plant out May 7 in Peoria. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Peoria?
Two: plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 19.
When do I plant garlic in Peoria?
Oct 12 to Nov 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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