What to plant this week in Peoria, IL
With average last frost in Peoria around April 21, gardeners this week are past the final chill risk but must watch for sudden late freezes into early May. It is harvest time for your summer crops like basil and beans, while cool-season garlic continues to build flavor underground.
The next 7 days
Peoria, ILGrowing in Peoria right now
- Peoria's heavy clay-loam soil retains moisture well but drains slowly; incorporate compost now to improve aeration before planting transplants like edamame or fennel.
- The city's flat terrain often leads to standing water after spring rains, so ensure low-lying tomato and squash beds have raised mounds for proper drainage.
- While the zone allows for garlic planting, note that Peoria's winter can be harsh with temps dropping to -10°F; mulch heavily after harvest to protect bulbs from freeze-thaw cycles.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
45 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and sweet corn every two weeks for continuous harvests through summer.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and okra to encourage bushier growth rather than flowering too early.
- Add a thin layer of straw or shredded leaves around heavy feeders like pumpkins and squash to retain moisture.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids are currently exploding on new growth of basil and beans as temperatures stabilize above 50°F.
- Root maggots may be attacking transplanted carrots or parsnips in the cool, damp soil typical of late spring here.
- Spider mites can appear quickly on ornamentals like cosmos if a hot, dry spell breaks the usual humid trend.
Watering this week
Provide about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, applying it deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation and disease risk.
Harvest zucchini and summer squash early in the day when they are most tender and flavorful for your table.
Peoria gardening questions
3Can I still plant garlic in Peoria this week?
Yes, garlic is listed as sowable now and thrives in our cool soil before summer heat arrives. Choose a well-drained spot to prevent bulb rot during Peoria's wet spring storms.
Are there any specific pests to watch for in Peoria's clay soil this season?
Harvest your zucchini immediately since it is ready this week, as the fruit will turn bitter and stop growing if left on the vine too long.
How does our local climate affect my summer squash varieties?
Peoria's humidity often encourages fungal issues, so space your yellow and winter squash plants widely to ensure air circulation. Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to keep leaves dry.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Peoria garden in SproutGuide →