American Falls 6 NE, ID Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every American Falls 6 NE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 14
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 2
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
141 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 6a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 30 May 14 Jun 4
First fall frost Oct 17 Oct 2 Sep 16
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 29 · first Oct 16

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the AMERICAN FALLS 6 NE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for American Falls 6 NE

Computed from American Falls 6 NE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-6 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Mar 19 – Apr 2 May 21 – May 28
🫑 Peppers Mar 5 – Mar 19 May 28 – Jun 4
🥬 Lettuce Apr 2 – Apr 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30 Apr 16 – May 14
🫛 Peas Apr 2 – Apr 16
🥕 Carrots Apr 23 – May 14
🥦 Broccoli Mar 26 – Apr 9 Apr 23 – May 7
🥬 Kale Apr 2 – Apr 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30 Apr 16 – Apr 30
🥒 Cucumbers Apr 16 – Apr 23 May 21 – May 28 May 21 – May 28
🥒 Zucchini Apr 16 – Apr 23 May 21 – May 28 May 21 – May 28
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 21 – May 28
🌽 Sweet Corn May 21 – May 28
🌿 Basil Apr 2 – Apr 16 May 21 – May 28 May 28 – Jun 4
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 21 – Sep 18

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use American Falls 6 NE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in American Falls 6 NE

At about 141 frost-free days, American Falls 6 NE rewards efficiency: start warm-season crops indoors, favor short-season varieties, and lean on cold-tolerant crops — peas, kale, roots — that shrug off the shoulder-season frosts on either end.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in American Falls 6 NE, ID?

The average last spring frost in American Falls 6 NE is around May 14, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in American Falls 6 NE, ID?

The average first fall frost in American Falls 6 NE arrives around Oct 2. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in American Falls 6 NE?

About 141 frost-free days on average, from May 14 to Oct 2. That favors short-season varieties and transplants for warm-season crops, with cool-season vegetables doing the heavy lifting in spring and fall.

What USDA zone is American Falls 6 NE in?

USDA zone 6a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.