Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Moscow, ID

Moscow, ID is in USDA zone 6b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 2.

Moscow on the zone map

Outlined: its 2 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6b−5 to 0 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 29

First frostOct 2

Growing season159 days

6b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Moscow, ID

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 17

Growing season159 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Pullman Moscow Regional Airport, WA, elevation 2,553 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Moscow

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 2) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 83844 came on Mar 23 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

average
Apr 32026
Mar 23

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6b in Idaho

570 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Idaho, and rated by the USDA to survive −5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Moscow, ID.

Soil in Moscow, ID

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 83844 is Naff — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Naff-Palouse complex, 7 to 25 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 83844; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Moscow, ID

Summer high86 °Faverage high, August

Winter low22 °Faverage low, January

Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights139nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,648base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 51 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 33 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation22.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Moscow U Of I, ID (3 mi away); precipitation: Moscow 1.7 N, ID (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Moscow

Idaho planting zones →

Questions about Moscow

What planting zone is Moscow, ID?

Moscow, ID is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map (6b: −5 to 0 °F).

When is the last frost in Moscow, ID?

The median last spring frost is April 29 and the median first fall frost is October 2 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pullman Moscow Regional Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Moscow, ID?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 18 – Apr 8; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 6, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Moscow, ID?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 51 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Moscow, ID get?

About 22.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).