Council, ID frost dates
Last spring frostMay 10median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season145 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Council compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Council falls between April 25 and June 1, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 16 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Idaho median of May 14.
- Its 145-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 244 Idaho places with a regular frost season (state median 138 days).
- The last frost is 11 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 159 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 25 |
| 50% (median) | May 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 16 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 18 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Council, ID
Council, ID frost dates — last frost May 10, first frost Oct 2, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 17 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 14
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Council, ID
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 12 – May 17 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Basil | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 5 – May 17 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Council, ID weather station, 3 km away (elevation 2,943 ft (897 m)).
Frost dates near Council
- Mesa May 10 · Oct 2
- Indian Valley May 15 · Sep 27
- Cambridge May 15 · Sep 27
- New Meadows frost any month
- Lake Fork Jun 22 · Sep 2
- McCall Jun 10 · Sep 10
- Donnelly May 30 · Sep 19
- Midvale May 15 · Sep 27
- Ola May 31 · Sep 16
- Pollock May 6 · Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Council, ID?
The median last spring frost in Council, ID is May 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Council, ID?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 16.
How long is the growing season in Council, ID?
About 145 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Council, ID?
Council, ID is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.