Idaho’s Spring Planting Guide: What to Grow and When to Start

Timing is everything in gardening, and for Idaho gardeners, understanding when to plant is key to success. Whether you’re eager to start seeds indoors or itching to get plants in the ground, this guide will help you plan your spring garden.

Understanding Idaho’s Frost Dates

Idaho has diverse growing zones, ranging from USDA Zone 3 in the mountains to Zone 7 in the lower valleys. The last frost date varies but generally falls between late April and early June.

What to Start Indoors

• February–March: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, onions
• April: Herbs like basil, flowers like marigolds and zinnias

What to Direct Sow in Early Spring (Cool-Season Crops)

• March–April: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, carrots
• April–May: Beets, Swiss chard, potatoes, onions

What to Plant After the Last Frost (Warm-Season Crops)

• Mid-May–June: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans, melons

Best Native and Pollinator-Friendly Plants

• Flowers: Sunflowers, Yarrow, penstemon, blanket flower
• Shrubs: Serviceberry, currant, elderberry
• Grasses: Idaho fescue, blue grama

By planting at the right time and choosing plants suited for Idaho’s climate, you’ll enjoy a thriving, resilient garden this season.