Perry 6 NW, IL Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Perry 6 NW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 18
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
180 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 4 Apr 18 May 5
First fall frost Oct 28 Oct 15 Sep 30
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 6 · first Oct 27

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the PERRY 6 NW station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Perry 6 NW

Computed from Perry 6 NW's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 21 – Mar 7 Apr 25 – May 2
🫑 Peppers Feb 7 – Feb 21 May 2 – May 9
🥬 Lettuce Mar 7 – Mar 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4 Mar 21 – Apr 18
🫛 Peas Mar 7 – Mar 21
🥕 Carrots Mar 28 – Apr 18
🥦 Broccoli Feb 28 – Mar 14 Mar 28 – Apr 11
🥬 Kale Mar 7 – Mar 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4 Mar 21 – Apr 4
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 21 – Mar 28 Apr 25 – May 2 Apr 25 – May 2
🥒 Zucchini Mar 21 – Mar 28 Apr 25 – May 2 Apr 25 – May 2
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 25 – May 2
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 25 – May 2
🌿 Basil Mar 7 – Mar 21 Apr 25 – May 2 May 2 – May 9
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 3 – Oct 1

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Perry 6 NW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Perry 6 NW

Roughly 180 frost-free days gives Perry 6 NW gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 18; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 15 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Perry 6 NW, IL?

The average last spring frost in Perry 6 NW is around Apr 18, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Perry 6 NW, IL?

The average first fall frost in Perry 6 NW arrives around Oct 15. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Perry 6 NW?

About 180 frost-free days on average, from Apr 18 to Oct 15. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Perry 6 NW in?

USDA zone 6a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.