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

Planting zone for 83201 — Pocatello, ID

ZIP code 83201 (Pocatello, Bannock County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is May 16 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 83201 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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
Coldest night−20.6 to −17.8 °C
Last frostMay 16
First frostOct 2
2012 zone6a

Was 6a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Pocatello, ID…

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 Pocatello, ID

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season137 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Pocatello 2 Ne, ID — 2 miles away, elevation 4,833 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 83201

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 25
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13
BeansSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 23 – Jun 6
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 (May 16) 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 83201 came on Mar 23 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

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.

Trees 30

balsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblue spruce100 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Fboxelder60 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FDouglas-fir200 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FEngelmann spruce120 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −50 °F

Shrubs 98

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °Falpine laurel1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −28 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °FBarclay's willow15 ft · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbeaked hazelnut15 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 276

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine mountainsorrel1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °FAmerican alpine speedwell1 ft · blooms summer · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican bistort1.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 154

Alaska oniongrass3 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Falkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAlpine Meadow-Foxtail0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Falpine timothy1.4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −43 °Fanalogue sedge1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 1

western white clematis1 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °F

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 Pocatello, ID.

Soil in Pocatello, ID

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 83201 is Ririe — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ririe-Watercanyon complex, 12 to 20 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 83201; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pocatello, ID

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights150nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,585base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 21 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 01 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation13.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall64 inper year; 75 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 36 °F, low 20 °F 36°20° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 22 °F 41°22° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 42 °F 69°42° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 49 °F 79°49° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 57 °F 89°57° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 56 °F 88°56° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 48 °F 77°48° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 20 °F 35°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″January: 1.14 in precipitation, 13.5 in snowfall 1.1❄14 JanFebruary: 1.04 in precipitation, 10.5 in snowfall 1.0❄11 FebMarch: 1.27 in precipitation, 8.1 in snowfall 1.3❄8 MarApril: 1.41 in precipitation, 4.8 in snowfall 1.4❄5 AprMay: 1.54 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 1.5❄1 MayJune: 1.11 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.1 JunJuly: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 JulAugust: 0.85 in precipitation 0.8 AugSeptember: 1.18 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.2 SepOctober: 1.09 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 1.1❄2 OctNovember: 1.00 in precipitation, 7 in snowfall 1.0❄7 NovDecember: 1.21 in precipitation, 16.4 in snowfall 1.2❄16 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pocatello 2 Ne, ID (2 mi away); precipitation: Pocatello 2 Ne, ID (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

8 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

832096a
Pocatello, ID · 4 mi
832026a
Pocatello, ID · 4 mi
832066a
Pocatello, ID · 4 mi
832056a
Pocatello, ID · 7 mi
832035b
Fort Hall, ID · 9 mi
832456a
Inkom, ID · 10 mi
832046a
Pocatello, ID · 10 mi
832505b
McCammon, ID · 17 mi

All 6 ZIP codes in Pocatello → · Idaho planting zones →

Questions about 83201

What planting zone is ZIP code 83201?

ZIP code 83201 (Pocatello, ID) is in USDA hardiness zone 6b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −5 to 0 °F (−20.6 to −17.8 °C).

When is the last frost in Pocatello, ID?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 83201 is May 16; after June 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pocatello 2 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Pocatello, ID?

The median first fall frost near 83201 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 137 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 83201?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 21 – Apr 4 and set transplants outside around May 23 – Jun 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 83201 get?

About 13.5 inches of precipitation a year and 64 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pocatello 2 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Pocatello, ID?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 83201 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ririe at the center of ZIP 83201: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Pocatello, ID in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 83201 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pocatello, ID?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 83201 is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 83201 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 83201 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.