When is the last frost in Normal, IL?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Normal is around April 25, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Normal 4ne, IL station (1.5 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Normal?

The average first fall frost in Normal, IL is around October 16, giving roughly a 172-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Normal, IL?

Normal is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -10 to -5°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Normal?

In Normal, IL the warmest month is July (avg high 86°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 15.6°F). It averages about 39.4″ of precipitation a year and 20.1″ of snow.

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Normal, IL Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6a · ZIP 61761 · elevation 241′ · NOAA & USDA data

Normal is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (winters can dip to -10 to -5°F), with a growing season of about 172 days between the average last spring frost (April 25) and first fall frost (October 16). The warmest month is July (avg high 86°F); the coldest is January (avg low 15.6°F). It averages 39.4″ of precipitation a year and 20.1″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -10 to -5°F

Last spring frost

April 25

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 16

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

172 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 86°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Normal

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Normal 4ne, IL (1.5 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	33.4	15.6	24.5	2.4	7.5
February	38.2	18.9	28.5	2	5.5
March	49.8	27.8	38.8	2.6	2.2
April	62.8	37.9	50.3	3.7	0.5
May	74	49.8	61.9	4.8	0
June	83.3	59.9	71.6	4.1	0
July	86	63	74.5	4.1	0
August	84.4	60.8	72.6	3.8	0
September	78.8	53	65.9	3.2	0
October	65.6	41.8	53.7	3.5	0
November	50.2	30.7	40.5	2.8	0.8
December	38.3	21.4	29.8	2.3	3.6

What to plant when in Normal

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 14 · Transplant out: May 2
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 28 · Transplant out: May 9
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 2
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 2
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 2
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 2
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 2
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): August 21
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 14 · Sow (fall): August 21
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 28 · Sow (fall): August 21
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 4 · Sow (fall): August 7
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 11
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 4 · Sow (fall): August 7
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 28
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 11
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 28 · Sow (fall): September 4

Dates are computed from Normal's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Illinois

Bloomington, IL Peoria, IL Champaign, IL Urbana, IL Decatur, IL Springfield, IL Joliet, IL Plainfield, IL

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Normal 4ne, IL, 1.5 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Normal 4ne, IL, 1.5 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.