Frost Dates for Moscow, ID 83843
Last spring frost May 25 · First fall frost September 20 · 118 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 83843 has about 26,600 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Moscow.
Short season: 118 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 27–June 21 (55 days). Fall frost risk spans September 5–October 5 (30 days).
Frost probability for 83843
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | June 21 | May 25 | April 27 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 5 | September 20 | October 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MOSCOW U OF I (1.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Moscow, ID
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83843 | May 25 | September 20 | 6b |
| 83844 | May 25 | September 20 | 6b |
Which crops fit a 118-day season in Moscow
In Moscow (118 frost-free days, a short season), 33 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 20 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 8, the outdoor season is about 4 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 13 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 76 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 30 |
| Carrots | — | May 4–May 11 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after May 4. | Jul 19 |
| Cucumber | May 4 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 90 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 8. | Jun 24 |
| Beans | — | Jun 1–Jun 15 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after Jun 1. | Jul 1 |
| Peas | — | Mar 30–Jun 8 | 181 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 181 available after Mar 30. | Jul 10 |
| Zucchini | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 90 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 8. | Jun 29 |
| Onion | Mar 2 | Apr 27–May 11 | 153 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 30–May 18 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 18 |
| Kale | Mar 16 | Apr 27–May 11 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 27. | Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 27. | Jul 19 |
| Radish | — | Mar 30–Jun 22 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Sep 27. | Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | Mar 30–Jun 22 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Potatoes | — | May 11–May 18 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 11. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 20 | 223 | overwinter: Plant Sep 20 to Oct 11; harvest the following summer. | Oct 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 20–Jun 15 | 174 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 27 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 1. | Jun 2 |
| Pumpkin | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 8 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 8, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 13 | May 18–Jun 1 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 18. | Jun 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 30 | May 11–May 11 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 30–Jun 22 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 27. | Jun 19 |
| Butternut Squash | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 8, the outdoor season is about 17 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 6 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 76 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 76 available after Jun 8. | — |
| Okra | Apr 27 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 97 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 1. | Jun 29 |
| Basil | Apr 20 | Jun 15–Jun 15 | 83 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 15. | Jun 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 27–May 18 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 25 |
| Parsley | Mar 16 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after Jun 1. | Jul 5 |
| Celery | Mar 16 | Jun 1–Jun 15 | 118 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 1, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 16 | Apr 27–May 11 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 27 | May 18–May 25 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 18 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 30 |
| Collards | Mar 16 | Apr 27–May 11 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Cantaloupe | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 8, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Mar 2 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 1. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 30–Jun 22 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 20 |
| Oregano | Mar 16 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 1. | — |
| Rosemary | Mar 2 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after Jun 1. | — |
| Sage | Mar 30 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 1. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 16 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after Jun 1. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 25 |
| Cosmos | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 8 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 25. | Jun 24 |
| Lavender | Mar 2 | May 25–Jun 8 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 25. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 13 | May 25–Jun 1 | 104 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 104 available after May 25. | Jul 4 |
| Melons | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 76 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 8, the outdoor season is about 9 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 25–Jun 8 | 139 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 139 available after May 25. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 25. | Jun 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | Jun 1–Jun 15 | 97 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 1. | Jun 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 83 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 8, the outdoor season is about 7 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 25–Jun 8 | 104 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 104 available after May 25. | Jun 14 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 30 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 83 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 1. | — |
| Watermelon | May 11 | Jun 1–Jun 8 | 83 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 83 available after Jun 1. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 11 | Jun 8–Jun 15 | 90 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 90 available after Jun 8. | Jun 29 |
| Zinnias | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 8 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 25. | Jun 24 |
Month by month in Moscow
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start the slowest-growing crops indoors: onions, leeks, and celery (10–12 weeks before last frost). |
| March | Start indoors: Chives (Mar 2), Lavender (Mar 2), Onion (Mar 2), Rosemary (Mar 2), Celery (Mar 16), Collards (Mar 16), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 30), Beets (Mar 30), Dill (Mar 30), Peas (Mar 30), Radish (Mar 30), Spinach (Mar 30). |
| April | Start indoors: Eggplant (Apr 6), Calendula (Apr 13), Cauliflower (Apr 13), Marigolds (Apr 13), Pepper (Apr 13), Basil (Apr 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 13), Cilantro (Apr 27), Turnip (Apr 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 27), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 27), Cabbage (Apr 27), Collards (Apr 27), Kale (Apr 27), Lettuce (Apr 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 20). |
| May | Start indoors: Cucumber (May 4), Butternut Squash (May 11), Cantaloupe (May 11), Melons (May 11), Pumpkin (May 11), Spaghetti Squash (May 11), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (May 4), Potatoes (May 11), Sunflowers (May 25). Transplant from: Calendula (May 11), Swiss Chard (May 11), Bok Choy (May 18), Cauliflower (May 18), Cosmos (May 25), Lavender (May 25), +4 more. Last frost around May 25. |
| June | Direct sow from: Beans (Jun 1), Pole Beans (Jun 1). Transplant from: Celery (Jun 1), Chives (Jun 1), Corn (Jun 1), Okra (Jun 1), Oregano (Jun 1), Parsley (Jun 1), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Corn (Jun 2), Sunflowers (Jun 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 19), Pole Beans (Jun 19), Basil (Jun 24), Cosmos (Jun 24), +8 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Beans (Jul 1), Marigolds (Jul 4), Parsley (Jul 5), Peas (Jul 10), Cabbage (Jul 19), Carrots (Jul 19), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Kale (Aug 3), Kohlrabi (Aug 3), Turnip (Aug 8), Arugula (Aug 18), Spinach (Aug 18), Radish (Aug 19). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 20). First frost around September 20. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 11). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Moscow, ID (ZIP 83843)?
The median last spring frost date for Moscow, ID (ZIP code 83843) is around May 25. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 27; one in ten it runs past June 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Moscow, ID?
The median first fall frost date for Moscow, ID is around September 20. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Moscow, ID?
The frost-free growing season in Moscow is about 118 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Moscow (118 frost-free days, a short season), 33 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 7 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Moscow, ID?
Moscow, ID is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Moscow, ID?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 20 and plant out Jun 8 in Moscow. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Moscow?
Two: plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Sep 27.
When do I plant garlic in Moscow?
Sep 20 to Oct 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Celery in Moscow?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 1, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Pullman (ZIP 99163) has 138 frost-free days, 20 more than Moscow (ZIP 83843). See Pullman ZIP 99163 frost dates
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- When to plant in ID
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