Frost dates for 61701 — Bloomington, IL
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season182 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Bloomington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bloomington falls between April 7 and May 5, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 9 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the Illinois median of Apr 17.
- Its 182-day growing season is longer than 37% of the 1,287 Illinois places with a regular frost season (state median 187 days).
- The last frost is 8 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 132 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Peoria, IL, 62 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 8 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 7 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 9 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Bloomington, IL
Frost dates for 61701 — Bloomington, IL — last frost Apr 21, first frost Oct 20, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bloomington, IL
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Bloomington 5w, IL weather station, 8 km away (elevation 853 ft (260 m)).
ZIP codes in Bloomington: 61701 61702 61704 61705 61709 61710 61791 61799
Frost dates near Bloomington
- Normal Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Shirley Apr 21 · Oct 20
- Towanda Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Downs Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Merna Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Hudson Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Heyworth Apr 21 · Oct 20
- Carlock Apr 21 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bloomington, IL?
The median last spring frost in Bloomington, IL is April 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bloomington, IL?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 9.
How long is the growing season in Bloomington, IL?
About 182 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bloomington, IL?
Bloomington, IL is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.