Ellis, ID frost dates
Last spring frostJun 12median date
First fall frostSep 6median date
Growing season86 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Ellis compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ellis falls between May 24 and June 29, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 23 and September 20.
- The median last frost is 29 days later than the Idaho median of May 14.
- Its 86-day growing season is longer than 5% of the 244 Idaho places with a regular frost season (state median 138 days).
- The last frost is 42 days later than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 220 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 24 |
| 50% (median) | June 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 23 |
| 50% (median) | September 6 |
| 90% (late) | September 20 |
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 Ellis, ID
Ellis, ID frost dates — last frost Jun 12, first frost Sep 6, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 26 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Transplant outside: Jun 26 to Jul 10
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 15 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Apr 17 to May 1Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: May 1 to May 15Transplant outside: Jul 3 to Jul 17Sow outdoors: Jul 3 to Jul 17
Start indoors: May 1 to May 15Transplant outside: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: May 15 to May 22Transplant outside: Jun 26 to Jul 3Sow outdoors: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Start indoors: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Start indoors: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Start indoors: May 15 to May 22Transplant outside: Jun 26 to Jul 10
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 26
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Jun 19 to Jul 10
Sow outdoors: Jun 19 to Jul 3
Transplant outside: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ellis, ID
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Peppers Warning: Your frost-free season is about 86 days, which is tight for peppers (75+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 26 – Jul 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant Warning: Your frost-free season is about 86 days, which is tight for eggplant (75+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jun 26 – Jul 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 17 – May 1 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 17 – May 1 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 15 – Jun 19 | Jul 12 – Aug 9 |
| Kale | Apr 17 – May 1 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Apr 17 – May 1 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 17 – May 1 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 17 – May 1 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Okra | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 | — |
| Basil | May 1 – May 15 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | — |
| Spinach | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | May 8 – Jun 19 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cucumbers | May 15 – May 22 | Jun 26 – Jul 3 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 15 – May 22 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 86 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 15 – May 22 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon Warning: Your frost-free season is about 86 days, which is tight for melons & watermelon (85+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 15 – May 22 | Jun 26 – Jul 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 22 – Jun 19 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 22 – Jun 19 | — |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 22 – Jun 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 29 – Jun 26 | — |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 19 – Jul 10 | — |
| Sweet Corn Warning: Your frost-free season is about 86 days, which is tight for sweet corn (80+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | — | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 86 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 23 – Sep 27 |
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 May 2sse, ID weather station, 18 km away (elevation 5,049 ft (1,539 m)).
Frost dates near Ellis
- May Jun 12 · Sep 6
- Challis May 14 · Sep 25
- Tendoy May 17 · Sep 24
- Lemhi frost any month
- Leadore frost any month
- Cobalt May 17 · Sep 24
- Salmon May 17 · Sep 24
- Clayton May 14 · Sep 25
- Carmen May 17 · Sep 24
- Stanley frost any month
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ellis, ID?
The median last spring frost in Ellis, ID is June 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ellis, ID?
The median first fall frost is September 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 23.
How long is the growing season in Ellis, ID?
About 86 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ellis, ID?
Ellis, ID is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.