Donnelly, ID frost dates
Last spring frostMay 30median date
First fall frostSep 19median date
Growing season112 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Donnelly compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Donnelly falls between May 10 and June 21, a 42-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 3 and October 4.
- The median last frost is 16 days later than the Idaho median of May 14.
- Its 112-day growing season is longer than 18% of the 244 Idaho places with a regular frost season (state median 138 days).
- The last frost is 27 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 225 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Meridian, ID, 119 km away, the last frost here is 31 days later than there and the growing season is 55 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 10 |
| 50% (median) | May 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 3 |
| 50% (median) | September 19 |
| 90% (late) | October 4 |
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 Donnelly, ID
Donnelly, ID frost dates — last frost May 30, first frost Sep 19, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 2 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Apr 18 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 20 to Jul 4Sow outdoors: Jun 20 to Jul 4
Start indoors: Apr 18 to May 2Transplant outside: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 20Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Start indoors: May 2 to May 9Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jun 27
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 11
Sow outdoors: May 9 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 13Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 16 to Jun 6Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 27
Sow outdoors: Jun 6 to Jun 20
Transplant outside: Jun 13 to Jul 4
Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Donnelly, ID
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 9 – May 23 | May 2 – Jun 6 | Jul 25 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | — |
| Basil | Apr 18 – May 2 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 25 – Jun 6 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cucumbers | May 2 – May 9 | Jun 13 – Jun 20 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 2 – May 9 | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 112 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 2 – May 9 | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 2 – May 9 | Jun 13 – Jun 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jun 27 – Jul 11 |
| Beets | — | — | May 9 – Jun 6 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 16 – Jun 13 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 6 – Jun 27 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 112 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 13 – Jul 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 5 – Oct 10 |
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 Cascade 1 Nw, ID weather station, 16 km away (elevation 4,895 ft (1,492 m)).
Frost dates near Donnelly
- Lake Fork Jun 22 · Sep 2
- McCall Jun 10 · Sep 10
- Cascade frost any month
- Mesa May 10 · Oct 2
- Council May 10 · Oct 2
- Indian Valley May 15 · Sep 27
- New Meadows frost any month
- Ola May 31 · Sep 16
- Cambridge May 15 · Sep 27
- Yellow Pine Jun 12 · Sep 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Donnelly, ID?
The median last spring frost in Donnelly, ID is May 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Donnelly, ID?
The median first fall frost is September 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 3.
How long is the growing season in Donnelly, ID?
About 112 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Donnelly, ID?
Donnelly, ID is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.