Frost dates for 61615Peoria, IL
The average last spring frost in Peoria is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 189 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 189 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 9 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 27 · May 14 | Sep 28 · Oct 14 · Oct 25 | 168 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 16 · May 4 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 189 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 16 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Peoria
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 61615 is matched to the NOAA station Peoria Gtr Peoria Ap, IL, 11.4 km away, at 650 ft elevation (69 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria Gtr Peoria Ap, IL (used) | 650 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 23 |
| Princeville, IL | 750 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 14 |
| Lacon, IL | 458 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 17 |
| Congerville 2Nw, IL | 640 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 17 |
Frost dates near Peoria
- Peoria, IL 61613 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
- Peoria Heights, IL 61616 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
- Edwards, IL 61528 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
- Mossville, IL 61552 · last Apr 20, first Oct 17
- Dunlap, IL 61525 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- East Peoria, IL 61635 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
- Creve Coeur, IL 61610 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
- Hanna City, IL 61536 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Peoria, IL?
- For ZIP code 61615, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Peoria Gtr Peoria Ap, IL weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Peoria, IL?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 61615?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 189 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.