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

Planting zone for 83552 — Stites, ID

ZIP code 83552 (Stites, Idaho County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 83552 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 30

First frostOct 11

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Stites, 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 Stites, ID

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Kooskia 5 Sse, ID — 6 miles away, elevation 2,330 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 83552

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 83552 came on Mar 18 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1).

average
Apr 12026
Mar 18

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).

Soil in Stites, ID

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 83552 is Jacknife — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter5%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Jacknife silt loam, 12 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 83552; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stites, ID

Summer high89 °Faverage high, August

Winter low24 °Faverage low, December

Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,260base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 45 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 38 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation23.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall39 inper year; 38 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kooskia 5 Sse, ID (6 mi away); precipitation: Grangeville, ID (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

835306b

Grangeville, ID · 7 mi

Greencreek, ID · 18 mi

835436b

Nezperce, ID · 25 mi

835266a

Ferdinand, ID · 26 mi

835547a

White Bird, ID · 26 mi

835226b

Cottonwood, ID · 27 mi

Idaho planting zones →

Questions about 83552

What planting zone is ZIP code 83552?

ZIP code 83552 (Stites, ID) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Stites, ID?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 83552 is April 30; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kooskia 5 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Stites, ID?

The median first fall frost near 83552 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 83552?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 83552 get?

About 23.5 inches of precipitation a year and 39 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grangeville station).

How hot do summers get in Stites, ID?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in August, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 83552 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Jacknife at the center of ZIP 83552: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Stites, ID in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 83552 came on Mar 18 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Stites, ID?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 83552 is 15 h 45 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 83552 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 83552 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.