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

Planting zone for 83827 — Elk River, ID

ZIP code 83827 (Elk River, Clearwater 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 September 23.

Where ZIP 83827 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 frostSep 23

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 Elk River, 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 Elk River, 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 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 23median — 10% chance by Sep 6

Growing season128 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Elk Rvr, ID — within 1 mile, elevation 2,868 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 83827

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 · Jul 29 – Aug 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 9 – Oct 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 16) and first fall frost (Sep 23) 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 83827 came on Apr 10 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

average
Apr 212026
Apr 10

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 Elk River, ID.

Soil in Elk River, ID

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 83827 is Brequito — slightly decomposed plant material, well drained.

TextureSlightly decomposed plant materialtop layer

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter50%high

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Brequito-Lado complex, 15 to 35 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 83827; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Elk River, ID

Summer high83 °Faverage high, August

Winter low21 °Faverage low, January

Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights202nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,556base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 32 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation39.2 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: Elk Rvr, ID (within 1 mile); precipitation: Elk Rvr, ID (within 1 mile). 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.

Idaho planting zones →

Questions about 83827

What planting zone is ZIP code 83827?

ZIP code 83827 (Elk River, 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 Elk River, ID?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 83827 is May 16; after June 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elk Rvr station.

When is the first frost in Elk River, ID?

The median first fall frost near 83827 is September 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 128 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 83827?

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 83827 get?

About 39.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elk Rvr station).

How hot do summers get in Elk River, ID?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in August, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 83827 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brequito at the center of ZIP 83827: slightly decomposed plant material, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Elk River, ID in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 83827 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Elk River, ID?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 83827 is 15 h 52 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 83827 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 83827 in zone 6a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.