Silver City 5 W, ID Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Silver City 5 W garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
May 31
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 6
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
128 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost May 4 May 31 Jun 17
First fall frost Oct 25 Oct 6 Sep 10
Hard freeze (28°F), median last May 9 · first Oct 19

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SILVER CITY 5 W 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 Silver City 5 W

Computed from Silver City 5 W's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Apr 5 – Apr 19 Jun 7 – Jun 14
🫑 Peppers Mar 22 – Apr 5 Jun 14 – Jun 21
🥬 Lettuce Apr 19 – May 3 May 3 – May 17 May 3 – May 31
🫛 Peas Apr 19 – May 3
🥕 Carrots May 10 – May 31
🥦 Broccoli Apr 12 – Apr 26 May 10 – May 24
🥬 Kale Apr 19 – May 3 May 3 – May 17 May 3 – May 17
🥒 Cucumbers May 3 – May 10 Jun 7 – Jun 14 Jun 7 – Jun 14
🥒 Zucchini May 3 – May 10 Jun 7 – Jun 14 Jun 7 – Jun 14
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Jun 7 – Jun 14
🌽 Sweet Corn Jun 7 – Jun 14
🌿 Basil Apr 19 – May 3 Jun 7 – Jun 14 Jun 14 – Jun 21
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 25 – Sep 22

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 Silver City 5 W's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Silver City 5 W

At about 128 frost-free days, Silver City 5 W 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 Silver City 5 W, ID?

The average last spring frost in Silver City 5 W is around May 31, 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 Silver City 5 W, ID?

The average first fall frost in Silver City 5 W arrives around Oct 6. 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 Silver City 5 W?

About 128 frost-free days on average, from May 31 to Oct 6. 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 Silver City 5 W in?

USDA zone 5b 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.