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Frost dates and planting calendar

Emmett, ID

The typical last spring frost in Emmett is April 30, and the first fall frost is around October 17. Plant peas from Mar 20; plant tomatoes from May 1.

Last spring frostApril 30Typical date. Frost is over by May 17 in 9 years out of 10.
First fall frostOctober 17Typical date. Comes as early as Oct 2 in 1 year out of 10.
Frost-free season170 daysYour growing season for frost-tender crops like tomatoes and squash.

NOAA 1991–2020 frost normals, Emmett station. Where these dates come from

About Emmett

Emmett sits on the Payette River in the Emmett Valley, north of Boise. It's long been known for cherries and other orchard fruit, and it holds a Cherry Festival each June.

Chance of frost through the year

Frost over in 9 years out of 10: after May 17
Tomatoes go out May 1–29, under frost cover at first

In 9 years out of 10, the last spring frost has passed by May 17 and the first fall frost holds off until Oct 2.

What to plant now

Turn on JavaScript to see what's in season today. The full calendar is below.

East-side valleys. The Columbia Basin, Yakima Valley, Boise's Treasure Valley, Lewiston and other low valleys east of the Cascades. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

Gardening in Boise and southwest Idaho. Summers are hot and dry with little rain, so gardens rely on irrigation. Soils are often alkaline, which acid-loving plants like blueberries dislike; they do better in pots or specially prepared beds. McCall, up in the mountains, has a far shorter season than the valley.

How the season in Emmett compares

With 170 frost-free days, Emmett has the 50th-longest season of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover. They run from 72 days in McCall to 330 days in Brookings and Gold Beach.

The typical last frost here, April 30, is in the middle of the towns we cover in Boise and southwest Idaho: 6 days later than Boise and Meridian and 53 days earlier than McCall.

The gap between the typical last frost and the date it's over in 9 years out of 10 is 17 days, about average for the towns on this site. Frost after the typical date still happens about half the time, so plan on covering warm crops until May 17.

The season is long enough for every warm crop on our list, even pumpkins and sweet potatoes, to finish from a normal planting date.

For a fall and winter garden, sow carrots by August 6 and set out kale plants by August 20. Fall crops here are timed to the first frost (October 17 on average) and to shortening days.

Planting calendar

Pick a group to see when each plant goes in, or search for one.

Frost

Salad greens 7 plants

  • SpinachPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24
    • Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10
  • LettucePlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 6–20
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
    • Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
  • Swiss chardPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
    • Again for fall Aug 6–20
  • ArugulaPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 1
    • Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 17
  • CeleryPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
    • Plant May 1 – Jun 5
  • MâchePlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24
    • Again for fall Aug 13 – Sep 17
  • RadicchioPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 7
    • Again for fall Jul 9–30

Cabbage family 9 plants

  • KalePlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
    • Again for fall Aug 6–20
  • BroccoliPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 12–26
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 7
    • Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
  • CabbagePlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 12–26
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 7
    • Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
  • CauliflowerPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 12–26
    • Plant Apr 2–30
    • Again for fall Jul 16–30
  • Brussels sproutsPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 5–19
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
  • Bok choyPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 13–27
    • Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24
    • Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 3
  • KohlrabiPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
    • Again for fall Aug 13–27
  • CollardsPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
    • Again for fall Aug 6–20
  • Mustard greensPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 1
    • Again for fall Aug 20 – Sep 10

Root vegetables 7 plants

  • RadishesPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
    • Again for fall Sep 3–17
  • CarrotsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
    • Again for fall Jul 23 – Aug 6
  • BeetsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
    • Again for fall Aug 6–20
  • PotatoesPlant seed potatoes
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
  • TurnipsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 1
    • Again for fall Aug 13–27
  • ParsnipsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
  • Sweet potatoesPlant rooted cuttings (slips)
    • Plant May 10–31

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

Onion family 4 plants

  • OnionsPlant young plants or sets
    • Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24
  • GarlicPlant cloves
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
  • LeeksPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
  • ShallotsPlant bulbs
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1

Peas and beans 4 plants

  • PeasPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 1
  • Bush beansPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 7 – Jun 18

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • Pole beansPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 7 – Jun 11

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • Fava beansPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24

Tomatoes and summer crops 6 plants

  • Sweet cornPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 7 – Jun 11

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • TomatoesPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 6–20
    • Plant May 1–29

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • PeppersPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 1–15
    • Plant May 10–31

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • EggplantPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 1–15
    • Plant May 10–31

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • TomatillosPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 6–20
    • Plant May 1–29

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • Ground cherriesPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 13–27
    • Plant May 1–29

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

Squash, cucumbers and melons 5 plants

  • CucumbersPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 3–10
    • Plant May 1–29

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • Zucchini and summer squashPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 3–10
    • Plant May 1–29

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • Winter squashPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 3–10
    • Plant May 1–22

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • MelonsPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 12–19
    • Plant May 10–31

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • PumpkinsPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Apr 3–10
    • Plant May 1–22

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

Herbs 13 plants

  • BasilPlant young plants (starts)
    • Indoors Mar 29 – Apr 12
    • Plant May 10 – Jun 7

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • CilantroPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 8
    • Again for fall Aug 27 – Sep 10
  • ParsleyPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 5–19
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 21
  • DillPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 2 – Jun 4
  • ChivesPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Feb 5–19
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
  • MintPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
  • RosemaryPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 21
  • ThymePlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
  • OreganoPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
  • LavenderPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
  • SagePlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
  • Lemon balmPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
  • TarragonPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28

Berries 10 plants

  • StrawberriesPlant young plants
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
  • BlueberriesPlant potted or bare-root bushes
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 21
  • RaspberriesPlant bare-root canes
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
  • BlackberriesPlant bare-root or potted canes
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 8
  • GrapesPlant bare-root or potted vines
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • Hardy kiwiPlant potted vines
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 21
  • HoneyberriesPlant potted bushes
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • CurrantsPlant bare-root or potted bushes
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • GooseberriesPlant bare-root or potted bushes
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • ElderberriesPlant bare-root or potted shrubs
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15

Perennial vegetables 5 plants

  • AsparagusPlant dormant crowns
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
  • RhubarbPlant dormant crowns
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 1
  • ArtichokesPlant young plants (starts)
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14
  • SorrelPlant seeds or young plants
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • HorseradishPlant root cuttings
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 1

Fruit and nut trees 11 plants

  • Apple treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • Pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • Plum treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • Cherry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • Fig treesPlant potted trees
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 28
  • Peach treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • Hazelnut treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • Persimmon treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • Asian pear treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • Quince treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15
  • Mulberry treesPlant bare-root or potted trees
    • Plant Mar 20 – May 15

Native plants 15 plants

Flowers 13 plants

  • DahliasPlant tubers
    • Plant May 1–29

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • SunflowersPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 7 – Jun 18

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • Sweet peasPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Mar 20 – Apr 24
  • TulipsPlant bulbs
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
  • DaffodilsPlant bulbs
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
  • ZinniasPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 7 – Jun 18

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • PeoniesPlant bare-root divisions
    • Fall Oct 1 – Nov 1
  • CosmosPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Mar 26 – Apr 9
    • Plant May 7 – Jun 18

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • NasturtiumsPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant May 7 – Jun 18

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • MarigoldsPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3
    • Plant May 1 – Jun 5

    Frost possible until about May 17: keep frost cover handy.

  • CalendulaPlant seeds in the ground
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 21
    • Again for fall Aug 6–20
  • RanunculusPlant soaked corms
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 7
  • SnapdragonsPlant seeds or young plants
    • Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
    • Plant Apr 2 – May 14

New to this? Read the beginner's guide or look up a term in the glossary.

ZIP codes that use these dates: 83617, 83629, 83636, 83670. Look up another ZIP.

Where these dates come from

The frost dates for Emmett come from NOAA's Emmett weather station, about 2 miles southeast of Emmett, at 2,390 feet. It's the closest weather station to Emmett with NOAA's 1991–2020 frost records. It's a NOAA cooperative station, not an airport station.

They're NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals: 30-year averages, not a forecast. How we pick each town's station.

Common questions about frost in Emmett

When is the last frost in Emmett?

April 30 in a typical year. Frost is over by May 17 in 9 years out of 10, Tender plants like tomatoes wait longer than that, for warm soil: see the tomato question below.

When is the first frost in Emmett?

Around October 17. It comes as early as October 2 in 1 year out of 10.

When can I plant tomatoes in Emmett?

Set out tomato plants May 1–29, after starting seeds indoors Mar 6–20. Keep frost cover handy until about May 17.

When should I plant garlic in Emmett?

Plant garlic cloves Oct 1 – Nov 1, and harvest next summer when the lower leaves turn brown.

How long is the growing season in Emmett?

About 170 frost-free days, shorter than most of the 86 Oregon, Washington and Idaho towns we cover.

Nearby areas with similar weather

All town calendars or look up your ZIP.