Fall in zone 6bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 83855 (Potlatch, ID)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Potlatch 3 NNE, ID (3 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1550% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)126 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6b-5 to 0°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
53°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 49°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Cook Farm Field D (17 mi), Spokane 17 SSW (42 mi).
4-inch depth
54°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Cook Farm Field D (17 mi), Spokane 17 SSW (42 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 83855 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 54°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to mid-May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Mountain West and High Plains. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 30 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 15 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Jun 2 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Aug 31 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 21 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 7 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Jun 10 | Sep 3 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 15 | Sep 21 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 28 | Oct 5 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 83855
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Sep 21). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 6–20 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 6–20 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 20–Apr 3 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 15 (transplant) Apr 17–May 29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 17 (transplant) Jul 13–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 17 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jun 29–Jul 27 (transplant) Jun 15–Jul 13 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Apr 17–May 15 (transplant) Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Jun 29–Jul 27 (transplant) Jun 15–Jul 13 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 6–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jun 15–Jul 13 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 6–20 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jun 15–Jul 13 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 15–Jul 13 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jun 1–22 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 20–Apr 3 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 17–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 3–17 | May 1–22 (transplant) May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 17–May 15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 24–May 22 (sow outdoors) | Jun 29–Jul 13 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 10–May 22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 10–24 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 17–May 8 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 24–May 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Jun 29–Jul 13 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 3–May 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 13–27 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 10–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 10–Sep 7 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jun 1–15 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 5–26 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 17–24 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 17–24 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 17–24 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 17–24 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 17–24 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 3–17 | May 29–Jun 12 (transplant) May 29–Jun 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 20–Mar 6 | May 22–29 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 3–17 | May 22–Jun 5 (transplant) May 22–Jun 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 6–20 | May 1–15 (transplant) Apr 24–May 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Potlatch 3 NNE, ID (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00107301), elevation 2,760 ft, 2.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pullman Moscow Rgnl AP, WA | 20 mi | Apr 29 | Oct 2 |
| Pullman 2 NW, WA | 21 mi | May 6 | Sep 29 |
| Plummer 3 WSW, ID | 22 mi | May 11 | Oct 5 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 17 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 83855
When is the last frost in 83855?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 83855 is May 15. For a more cautious planting date, use June 2, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 83855?
The average first fall freeze is September 21. In 1 year in 10 it comes by August 31.
What hardiness zone is 83855?
ZIP 83855 is in USDA zone 6b (-5 to 0°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 83855 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
83834 83857 Princeton 83824 De Smet 83870 Tensed 83872 Viola 99128 Farmington 99161 Palouse 99130 Garfield
Other ZIP codes in Latah County
83537 83806 83823 83832 83834 83843 83844 83857 83871 83872 All Latah County frost dates · Idaho frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.