Bloomington, IL planting zone & frost dates
Bloomington is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 21 and the first fall frost around October 20, for a growing season of about 181 days.
Planting calendar for Bloomington
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 21) 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 24 – Mar 10 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: May 5 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: May 5 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 10 – Feb 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 10 – Mar 24 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 25 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 20).
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 7 | Apr 21 | May 5 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 1 | Oct 20 | Oct 9 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 5, 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 9.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Bloomington
- 61701 zone 6a
- 61702 zone 6a
- 61704 zone 6a
- 61705 zone 6a
- 61709 zone 6a
- 61710 zone 6a
- 61791 zone 6a
- 61799 zone 6a
Nearby cities
- Normal zone 6a, last frost Apr 25
- Washington zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Morton zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
- Lincoln zone 6a, last frost Apr 20
- Pontiac zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
- East Peoria zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
- Peoria zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
- North Peoria zone 6a, last frost Apr 16
Questions
What growing zone is Bloomington, IL?
Bloomington 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 Bloomington?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Bloomington is April 21. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 5.
When can I plant tomatoes in Bloomington?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 28 – May 5. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Bloomington 5W, IL (USC00110764), 7.8 km (4.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 260 m, based on 12 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.