What to plant this week in Peoria, IL
Peoria gardeners are hitting the ground running this week as we hover near our average last frost date of April 21, with soil finally warming enough for aggressive transplants. It is prime time to move out warm-weather giants like cantaloupe, cucumbers, and okra that have been waiting in your cold frames or indoors.
The next 7 days
Peoria, ILGrowing in Peoria right now
- Our sandy loam soils drain quickly after our spring rains, so ensure you amend heavy clay pockets near the Illinois River with organic matter before planting squash and melons.
- With temps fluctuating between 40s at night and 70s by day, harden off transplants like zinnias and cosmos for a full week to prevent shock from our sudden afternoon thunderstorms.
- Take advantage of this mild window to sow quick-growing bush beans and pole beans directly into the garden rows where corn will be interplanted later in May.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
41 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
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- 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 tops of zucchini and squash plants now to encourage more fruit development rather than just vines.
- Cut back dying foliage on basil and borage after heavy harvesting to promote a second, smaller flush of growth.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early aphid colonies forming on new leaves of transplanted basil, French marigolds, and nasturtiums as temperatures rise above 50°F.
- Monitor your squash and pumpkin varieties for downy mildew spores carried by the recent humidity; apply a copper spray preventatively if you see yellowing on lower leaves.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to reduce evaporation while supporting heavy fruit production on melons and squash.
Pull any volunteer weeds immediately around your transplants like edamame and fennel before they compete for nutrients.
Peoria gardening questions
3Can I plant garlic now in Peoria?
Yes, this is actually the ideal time to set your fall garlic cloves into well-drained soil so they establish roots before our first hard freeze.
When should I start harvesting my summer squash and zucchini?
You can begin picking your yellow summer squash and zucchini soon once the flowers have been replaced by small, firm fruits about 3-4 inches long.
Are watermelon and cantaloupe ready for direct seeding this week?
Absolutely; since our frost-free period is extending past April 21, you can sow these heat-loving melons directly in the garden where they will thrive in our sandy loam.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Peoria garden in SproutGuide →