Frost dates for 83866Santa, ID
The average last spring frost in Santa is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 21, giving a typical growing season of about 126 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 21
- Growing season
- 126 days
Safer after Jun 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 21 · Jun 10 · Jul 5 | Aug 15 · Sep 3 · Sep 21 | 84 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 15 · Jun 2 | Aug 31 · Sep 21 · Oct 7 | 126 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Sep 18 · Oct 5 · Oct 27 | 162 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Santa
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 12 – Jun 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Aug 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Oct 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 83866 is matched to the NOAA station Potlatch 3 Nne, ID, 38.7 km away, at 2,760 ft elevation (56 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potlatch 3 Nne, ID (used) | 2,760 ft | May 15 | Sep 21 |
| Saint Maries, ID | 2,151 ft | May 3 | Oct 4 |
| Plummer 3 Wsw, ID | 2,905 ft | May 11 | Oct 5 |
| Elk Rvr, ID | 2,866 ft | May 16 | Sep 23 |
Frost dates near Santa
- Fernwood, ID 83830 · last May 15, first Sep 21
- Saint Maries, ID 83861 · last May 3, first Oct 4
- Clarkia, ID 83812 · last May 16, first Sep 23
- Harvard, ID 83834 · last May 15, first Sep 21
- Calder, ID 83808 · last May 12, first Sep 30
- Bovill, ID 83806 · last May 16, first Sep 23
- Desmet, ID 83824 · last May 15, first Sep 21
- Tensed, ID 83870 · last May 15, first Sep 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Santa, ID?
- For ZIP code 83866, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Potlatch 3 Nne, ID weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 2.
- When is the first frost in Santa, ID?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 83866?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 126 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.