Frost dates for 83201Pocatello, ID
The average last spring frost in Pocatello is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 161 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 1 · May 17 · Jun 5 | Sep 12 · Sep 30 · Oct 15 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · May 2 · May 18 | Sep 26 · Oct 11 · Oct 26 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 17 · May 4 | Oct 8 · Oct 24 · Nov 6 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pocatello
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 83201 is matched to the NOAA station Pocatello City, ID, 1.6 km away, at 4,460 ft elevation (123 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocatello City, ID (used) | 4,460 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
| Pocatello 2 Ne, ID | 4,832 ft | May 16 | Oct 2 |
| Pocatello Rgnl Ap, ID | 4,478 ft | May 23 | Sep 18 |
| Ft Hall 1 Nne, ID | 4,465 ft | May 20 | Sep 20 |
Frost dates near Pocatello
- Pocatello, ID 83206 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Fort Hall, ID 83203 · last May 20, first Sep 20
- Inkom, ID 83245 · last May 23, first Sep 24
- Springfield, ID 83277 · last May 21, first Sep 20
- Pingree, ID 83262 · last May 20, first Sep 20
- Blackfoot, ID 83221 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Aberdeen, ID 83210 · last May 21, first Sep 20
- McCammon, ID 83250 · last May 23, first Sep 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pocatello, ID?
- For ZIP code 83201, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pocatello City, ID weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Pocatello, ID?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 83201?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 161 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.