Sun Valley, ID frost dates

Gardening where frost is possible all year

The weather station nearest Sun Valley, ID records freezing temperatures in every month often enough that NOAA cannot define a frost-free season. Gardening is still possible — it just means planning for frost at any time:

• Grow fast, cold-tolerant crops: Radishes, Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Peas, Potatoes, Swiss Chard, Garlic.
• Plant once the soil can be worked — usually late spring to early summer at high elevation — and keep row covers ready for clear, still nights.
• Use season extension: cold frames, low tunnels, wall-of-water cloches or a greenhouse turn a few frost-free weeks into a real season.
• Frost-tender crops (tomatoes, squash, beans) need protection all season; choose the earliest varieties you can find.

About these dates

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Ketchum Rs, ID weather station, 6 km away (elevation 5,889 ft (1,795 m)).

ZIP codes in Sun Valley: 83353 83354

Frost dates near Sun Valley

• Hailey May 13 · Oct 2
• Ketchum frost any month
• Bellevue May 13 · Oct 2
• Corral Jun 8 · Sep 14
• Picabo Jun 16 · Sep 9
• Fairfield Jun 8 · Sep 14
• Carey Jun 16 · Sep 9
• Mackay Jun 1 · Sep 20
• Richfield May 24 · Sep 26
• Hill City Jun 16 · Sep 6

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Sun Valley, ID?

Sun Valley, ID can freeze in any month, so there is no reliable last frost date. The nearest NOAA station averages 229 nights a year at or below 32°F.

What can I grow in Sun Valley, ID?

Fast, cold-tolerant crops such as radishes, lettuce, spinach, kale, peas and potatoes, ideally under row covers, cold frames or a greenhouse. Frost-tender crops like tomatoes need protection all season.