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

Planting zone for 83244 — Howe, ID

ZIP code 83244 (Howe, Butte County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 14.

Where ZIP 83244 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostMay 24

First frostSep 14

2012 zone5a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Howe, 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 Howe, ID

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostSeptember 14median — 10% chance by Sep 1

Growing season113 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around September 25.

From the NOAA station Howe, ID — 9 miles away, elevation 4,820 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 83244

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21

BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 20 – Aug 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 31 – Oct 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 14) 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 83244 came on May 9 — 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 16).

average
May 162026
May 9

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 5a in Idaho

536 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Idaho, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Howe, ID.

Soil in Howe, ID

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 83244 is Ireland — very gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureVery gravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ireland, extremely stony surface-Middlehill family, very stony surface-Bakerpeak, extremely stony surface, association, 35 to 80 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 83244; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Howe, ID

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights189nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,939base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation7.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall11 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Howe, ID (9 mi away); precipitation: Howe, ID (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

834354b

Monteview, ID · 19 mi

Idaho planting zones →

Questions about 83244

What planting zone is ZIP code 83244?

ZIP code 83244 (Howe, ID) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Howe, ID?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 83244 is May 24; after June 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Howe station.

When is the first frost in Howe, ID?

The median first fall frost near 83244 is September 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 113 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 83244?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 83244 get?

About 7.3 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Howe station).

How hot do summers get in Howe, ID?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 83244 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ireland at the center of ZIP 83244: very gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Howe, ID in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 83244 came on May 9 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Howe, ID?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 83244 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).