When to plant in Idaho
Most of Idaho sees its last spring frost between Apr 24 and Jun 12, and its first fall frost between Sep 10 and Oct 21. The middle of the state is around May 12 and October 1: that's what the dates below use.
Hardiness zones in Idaho: 5a (13%), 5b (14%), 6a (17%), 6b (28%), 7a (26%).
Planting dates for common crops
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest | Plant for fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Aug 11 – Oct 1 | — |
| Pepper | Mar 31 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Aug 16 – Oct 1 | — |
| Cucumber | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jul 27 – Sep 14 | — |
| Zucchini / Summer squash | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jul 22 – Sep 30 | — |
| Winter squash | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Sep 5 – Oct 1 | — |
| Green beans (bush) | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jul 27 – Sep 7 | — |
| Peas | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 30 – Jul 4 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 | — |
| Lettuce | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 29 – Jul 10 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 10 – Jun 21 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jun 8 – Aug 31 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 20 – Jul 25 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jun 23 – Jul 28 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Carrot | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 30 – Aug 11 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beet | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 15 – Jul 27 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Radish | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 2 – May 30 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Onion (sets) | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jul 16 – Aug 20 | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 24 – Oct 15 (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 28 next year | — |
| Potato | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 20 – Aug 24 | — |
| Sweet potato | Apr 21 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 | — |
| Watermelon | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 30 | — |
| Basil | Apr 21 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jul 2 – Oct 1 | — |
| Strawberry (June-bearing) | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 9 – Jul 7 (once established) | — |
| Sunflower | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Aug 21 – Sep 25 | — |
Dates for a typical spot in Idaho. Colder and higher places plant later, warmer ones earlier: enter your ZIP code for yours, or see the calendar for your zone.
Frost dates around Idaho
| Place | Zone | Last frost | First frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | 7a | Apr 24 | Oct 21 |
| Idaho Falls | 5b | May 23 | Sep 20 |
| Pocatello | 6a | May 20 | Oct 11 |
| Nampa | 7a | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Caldwell | 7a | Apr 27 | Oct 13 |
| Coeur D Alene | 6b | Apr 22 | Oct 18 |
| Rexburg | 5a | May 12 | Sep 24 |
| Meridian | 7a | Apr 24 | Oct 21 |
| Moscow | 6b | May 15 | Oct 2 |
| Post Falls | 6b | Apr 22 | Oct 18 |
Average dates from the nearest NOAA weather stations (1991–2020). Click a place for its full planting calendar.