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

Planting zone for 83635 — Lake Fork, ID

ZIP code 83635 (Lake Fork, Valley County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is June 22 and the first fall frost September 2.

Where ZIP 83635 is

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 frostJun 22

First frostSep 2

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 Lake Fork, 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 Lake Fork, ID

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostJune 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJuly 10only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 2median — 10% chance by Aug 14

Growing season72 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around June 3 and returns around September 15.

From the NOAA station Mccall, ID — 4 miles away, elevation 5,026 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 83635

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

SpinachSow outdoors · May 11 – Jun 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jun 1 – Jun 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

LettuceSow outdoors · May 25 – Jun 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jun 1 – Jun 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 27 – May 11

TomatoesTransplant · Jun 29 – Jul 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jul 6 – Jul 20

BeansSow outdoors · Jun 29 – Jul 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 29 – Jul 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 29 – Jul 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 8 – Jul 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 19 – Sep 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 22) and first fall frost (Sep 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 83635 came on Apr 22 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 3).

average
May 32026
Apr 22

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 Lake Fork, ID.

Soil in Lake Fork, ID

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 83635 is Archabal — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importance, if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Archabal loam, 2 to 4 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 83635; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lake Fork, ID

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights217nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,226base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation25.6 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: Mccall, ID (4 mi away); precipitation: Long Valley, ID (3 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.

Indian Valley, ID · 26 mi

836385a

McCall, ID · 27 mi

836546a

New Meadows, ID · 29 mi

Idaho planting zones →

Questions about 83635

What planting zone is ZIP code 83635?

ZIP code 83635 (Lake Fork, 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 Lake Fork, ID?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 83635 is June 22; after July 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mccall station.

When is the first frost in Lake Fork, ID?

The median first fall frost near 83635 is September 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 72 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 83635?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 27 – May 11 and set transplants outside around Jun 29 – Jul 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 83635 get?

About 25.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Long Valley station).

How hot do summers get in Lake Fork, ID?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 83635 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Archabal at the center of ZIP 83635: loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lake Fork, ID in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 83635 came on Apr 22 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (May 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lake Fork, ID?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 83635 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).