Priest River, ID frost dates
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostSep 21median date
Growing season132 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Priest River compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Priest River falls between April 28 and May 29, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 5 and October 5.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Idaho median of May 14.
- Its 132-day growing season is longer than 40% of the 244 Idaho places with a regular frost season (state median 138 days).
- The last frost is 13 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 169 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Spokane, WA, 67 km away, the last frost here is 16 days later than there and the growing season is 40 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 28 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 5 |
| 50% (median) | September 21 |
| 90% (late) | October 5 |
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 Priest River, ID
Priest River, ID frost dates — last frost May 12, first frost Sep 21, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 15 to Jul 6
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 15 to Jul 6
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 15 to Jul 6
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 12
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Priest River, ID
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Jul 27 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 15 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 15 – Jul 6 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 15 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jun 29 – Jul 13 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
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 Newport, WA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 2,162 ft (659 m)).
Frost dates near Priest River
- Oldtown May 12 · Sep 21
- Laclede May 8 · Sep 28
- Blanchard May 12 · Sep 21
- Cocolalla May 22 · Sep 22
- Spirit Lake May 22 · Sep 22
- Dover May 8 · Sep 28
- Careywood May 22 · Sep 22
- Sagle May 8 · Sep 28
- Athol May 22 · Sep 22
- Colburn May 8 · Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Priest River, ID?
The median last spring frost in Priest River, ID is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Priest River, ID?
The median first fall frost is September 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 5.
How long is the growing season in Priest River, ID?
About 132 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Priest River, ID?
Priest River, ID is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.