What Grows in Pekin, IL?
Pekin, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Pekin is in USDA Zone 6a with about 213 frost-free days.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost early April, first frost late October.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rhubarb
Garlic
What grows well in Pekin
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Lettuce
Grows well
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Brussels Sprouts
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Asparagus
Grows well
Rhubarb
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Pekin, IL in?
Pekin, IL is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Pekin?
The average last spring frost in Pekin is around early April, and the first fall frost is typically late October. Plan to move tender plants outside after early April and have them harvested (or protected) before late October.
What grows well in Pekin?
Plenty — Pekin's USDA Zone 6a climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Pekin's growing season?
Pekin typically has around 213 frost-free days per year (roughly early April to late October). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Pekin?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Pekin.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Pekin?
Yes — Pekin's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Pekin?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around early April), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.