Frost dates for 83204Pocatello, ID
The average last spring frost in Pocatello is May 16 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 137 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 137 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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 17 · Jun 5 · Jun 18 | Sep 5 · Sep 21 · Oct 4 | 108 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 16 · Jun 6 | Sep 14 · Oct 2 · Oct 18 | 137 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · May 1 · May 18 | Sep 26 · Oct 13 · Oct 29 | 165 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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 83204 is matched to the NOAA station Pocatello 2 Ne, ID, 5.8 km away, at 4,832 ft elevation (111 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pocatello 2 Ne, ID (used) | 4,832 ft | May 16 | Oct 2 |
| Pocatello City, ID | 4,460 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
| 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
- Inkom, ID 83245 · last May 23, first Sep 24
- Fort Hall, ID 83203 · last May 20, first Sep 20
- Springfield, ID 83277 · last May 21, first Sep 20
- McCammon, ID 83250 · last May 23, first Sep 24
- Pingree, ID 83262 · last May 20, first Sep 20
- Aberdeen, ID 83210 · last May 21, first Sep 20
- Arimo, ID 83214 · last May 23, first Sep 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pocatello, ID?
- For ZIP code 83204, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pocatello 2 Ne, ID weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Pocatello, ID?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 83204?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 137 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.