When to plant sweet corn in Boise, Idaho

May 31 – June 14

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Boise year

Climate basis: NOAA station Boise 7 N, ID (USC00101017), 6 mi (9 km) from downtown Boise (ZCTA 83702 centroid), elevation 3885 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow sweet corn from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (May 17). One year in ten still freezes after June 10.

Last spring freezeMay 171-in-10 after Jun 10
First fall freezeOctober 121-in-10 before Sep 27
Frost-free season147 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 27Oct 24kills even hardy greens
USDA zone7a0 to 5°F winter low not frost timing

The Boise year

Direct-sow outdoorsMay 31 – Jun 14
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Jun 10
Sweet corn in Boise · freeze context from Boise 7 N, ID, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

May 31 – Jun 14

UGA: wait until at least two weeks after the last average killing frost. Purdue lists corn as tender (after last frost) and UNH keys sowing to 60°F soil; the later UGA rule is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (May 17). University of Georgia Cooperative Extension · Purdue University Extension · University of New Hampshire Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

The cited guides time sweet corn by direct seeding only.

Transplant outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.

Fall planting

Not calculated

No source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.

Variety assumption: Assumes a mid-season hybrid (about 70–85 days; Penn State lists 80).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (3)

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