Frost dates for 83522Cottonwood, ID
The average last spring frost in Cottonwood is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 10 · May 31 · Jun 20 | Sep 12 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 119 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 6 · May 26 | Sep 28 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 21 · May 10 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 12 | 188 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cottonwood
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 83522 is matched to the NOAA station Cottonwood 2 Wsw, ID, 1.9 km away, at 3,945 ft elevation (152 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood 2 Wsw, ID (used) | 3,945 ft | May 6 | Oct 13 |
| Grangeville, ID | 3,300 ft | May 9 | Oct 3 |
| Nezperce, ID | 3,248 ft | May 24 | Sep 20 |
| Winchester, ID | 3,972 ft | May 23 | Sep 25 |
Frost dates near Cottonwood
- Ferdinand, ID 83526 · last May 6, first Oct 13
- Greencreek, ID 83533 · last May 24, first Sep 20
- Fenn, ID 83531 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Craigmont, ID 83523 · last May 23, first Sep 25
- Grangeville, ID 83530 · last May 9, first Oct 3
- Nezperce, ID 83543 · last May 24, first Sep 20
- Winchester, ID 83555 · last May 23, first Sep 25
- Kamiah, ID 83536 · last Apr 29, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cottonwood, ID?
- For ZIP code 83522, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cottonwood 2 Wsw, ID weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Cottonwood, ID?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 83522?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.