Frost dates for 83546Pierce, ID
The average last spring frost in Pierce is June 3 and the average first fall frost is September 7, giving a typical growing season of about 93 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Jun 3
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 7
- Growing season
- 93 days
Safer after Jun 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 219 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) | — | — | 51 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 17 · Jun 3 · Jun 29 | Aug 22 · Sep 7 · Sep 26 | 93 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 27 · May 10 · May 25 | Sep 7 · Sep 26 · Oct 11 | 136 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pierce
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 | May 3 – Jul 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 19 – May 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – May 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Aug 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jun 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – May 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jul 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 8 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Apr 28 – May 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 20 – Jun 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Sep 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 83546 is matched to the NOAA station Pierce, ID, 0.5 km away, at 3,080 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pierce, ID (used) | 3,080 ft | Jun 3 | Sep 7 |
| Headquarters, ID | 3,200 ft | — | — |
| Kamiah, ID | 1,210 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 5 |
| Dworshak Fish Hatchery, ID | 995 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Pierce
- Weippe, ID 83553 · last Jun 3, first Sep 7
- Orofino, ID 83544 · last May 16, first Sep 23
- Kamiah, ID 83536 · last Apr 29, first Oct 5
- Ahsahka, ID 83520 · last May 16, first Sep 23
- Nezperce, ID 83543 · last May 24, first Sep 20
- Elk River, ID 83827 · last May 16, first Sep 23
- Kooskia, ID 83539 · last Apr 16, first Oct 25
- Peck, ID 83545 · last Apr 20, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pierce, ID?
- For ZIP code 83546, the average last spring frost (32°F) is June 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pierce, ID weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 29.
- When is the first frost in Pierce, ID?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 83546?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 93 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.