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

Planting zone for 83311 — Albion, ID

ZIP code 83311 (Albion, Cassia County) is in USDA zone 6b: the coldest winter night averages −5 to 0 °F. The median last spring frost is June 5 and the first fall frost September 13.

Where ZIP 83311 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 frostJun 5

First frostSep 13

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 Albion, 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 Albion, ID

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 13median — 10% chance by Aug 28

Growing season96 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 17 and returns around September 26.

From the NOAA station Malta, ID — 12 miles away, elevation 4,521 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 83311

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 8 – May 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 15 – May 29

LettuceSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 12 – Jun 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 19 – Jul 3

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 12 – Jun 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 19 – Aug 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 30 – Oct 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 5) and first fall frost (Sep 13) 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 83311 came on Mar 16 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

average
Apr 62026
Mar 16

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 Albion, ID.

Soil in Albion, ID

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 83311 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 classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Ririe silt loam, 1 to 3 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 83311; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Albion, ID

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights168nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,873base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation40.4 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: Malta, ID (12 mi away); precipitation: Howell Canyon, ID (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Idaho planting zones →

Questions about 83311

What planting zone is ZIP code 83311?

ZIP code 83311 (Albion, 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 Albion, ID?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 83311 is June 5; after June 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Malta station.

When is the first frost in Albion, ID?

The median first fall frost near 83311 is September 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 96 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 83311?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 10 – Apr 24 and set transplants outside around Jun 12 – Jun 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 83311 get?

About 40.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Howell Canyon station).

How hot do summers get in Albion, ID?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 83311 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ririe at the center of ZIP 83311: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Albion, ID in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 83311 came on Mar 16 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Albion, ID?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 83311 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 83311 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 83311 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.