FrostDateByZip

Frost dates for 83610Cambridge, ID

The average last spring frost in Cambridge is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 27, giving a typical growing season of about 134 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.

Average last spring frost
May 15

Safer after Jun 4 (1-in-10 risk)

Average first fall frost
Sep 27

Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)

Growing season
134 days

Last frost typically in 194 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.

Spring dates: chance of a frost AFTER the date. Fall dates: chance of a frost BEFORE the date.
TemperatureLast spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chanceFirst fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chanceGrowing season (50%)Years with at least one
Light frost (36°F)May 15 · Jun 3 · Jun 21Sep 2 · Sep 16 · Sep 30104 days100%
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 29 · May 15 · Jun 4Sep 12 · Sep 27 · Oct 9134 days100%
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 8 · Apr 28 · May 15Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 22164 days100%

Planting calendar for Cambridge

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.

CropTaskWindow
TomatoesStart seeds indoorsApr 14 – Jun 20
TomatoesTransplant outdoorsMay 31 – Jun 7
PeppersStart seeds indoorsApr 14 – May 15
PeppersTransplant outdoorsJun 14 – Jul 15
EggplantStart seeds indoorsMay 1 – May 30
EggplantTransplant outdoorsJun 14 – Jul 15
CucumbersSow outdoorsJun 14 – Jun 17
Summer squashSow outdoorsMay 31 – Jul 15
Winter squash & pumpkinsSow outdoorsJun 14 – Jul 15
Snap beansSow outdoorsMay 31 – Jul 10
Sweet cornSow outdoorsMay 31 – Jun 7
Watermelon & cantaloupeSow outdoorsJun 14 – Jul 15
OkraSow outdoorsJun 7 – Jun 30
PeasSow outdoors (spring)Apr 14 – May 30
PotatoesPlant outdoors (spring)Apr 14 – Jun 14
OnionsStart seeds indoors (spring)Mar 3 – Mar 30
OnionsTransplant outdoors (spring)May 1 – May 30
BroccoliStart seeds indoors (spring)Mar 27 – Apr 30
BroccoliTransplant outdoors (spring)May 1 – May 30
BroccoliStart seeds indoors (fall)May 28 – Jun 7
BroccoliTransplant outdoors (fall)Jun 27 – Jul 8
CabbageStart seeds indoors (spring)Mar 17 – Apr 14
CabbageTransplant outdoors (spring)Apr 14 – May 15
CabbageStart seeds indoors (fall)May 18 – Jun 17
CabbageTransplant outdoors (fall)Jun 17 – Jul 18
Leaf lettuceSow outdoors (spring)Apr 14 – Jun 30
Leaf lettuceSow outdoors (fall)Jun 17 – Aug 3
SpinachSow outdoors (spring)Apr 7 – May 21
SpinachSow outdoors (fall)Jul 4 – Aug 8
RadishesSow outdoors (spring)Apr 14 – Jun 4
RadishesSow outdoors (fall)Jun 17 – Aug 18
KaleSow outdoors (spring)May 1 – May 21
KaleSow outdoors (fall)Jun 10 – Jul 18
CarrotsSow outdoors (spring)May 15 – Jun 30
CarrotsSow outdoors (fall)May 18 – Jul 3
GarlicPlant outdoors (fall)Sep 17 – Oct 18

Where these dates come from

ZIP code 83610 is matched to the NOAA station Cambridge, ID, 2.1 km away, at 2,650 ft elevation (224 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:

StationElevationAvg last frostAvg first frost
Cambridge, ID (used)2,650 ftMay 15Sep 27
Council, ID2,943 ftMay 10Oct 2
Brownlee Dam, ID1,844 ftApr 2Nov 5
Richland, OR2,215 ftMay 10Oct 1

Frost dates near Cambridge

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Cambridge, ID?
For ZIP code 83610, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cambridge, ID weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 4.
When is the first frost in Cambridge, ID?
The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
How long is the growing season in 83610?
In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 134 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.