What Grows in Boise, ID?
Boise's high desert valley climate has warm dry summers and cold winters — excellent for stone fruit and vegetables.
Zone
Last frost
First frost
Frost-free days
Boise is in USDA Zone 6b with about 153 frost-free days, and you can grow tomatoes, peppers, beans, onions, and more here.
Planting tips for Boise
Hot dry summers — irrigate consistently. Plant warm crops after May 1. Fall garden in August.
What to plant, and when
Timing by your frost dates — last frost April 20, first frost October 20.
Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin
Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion
Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rhubarb
Garlic
What grows well in Boise
Tomato
Grows well
Cherry Tomato
Grows well
Bell Pepper
Grows well
Chili Pepper
Grows well
Cucumber
Grows well
Zucchini
Grows well
Green Beans
Grows well
Lettuce
Grows well
Spinach
Grows well
Kale
Grows well
Broccoli
Grows well
Carrot
Grows well
Radish
Grows well
Beets
Grows well
Onion
Grows well
Garlic
Grows well
Potato
Grows well
Sweet Potato
Grows well
Corn
Grows well
Peas
Grows well
Cabbage
Grows well
Brussels Sprouts
Grows well
Eggplant
Grows well
Swiss Chard
Grows well
Arugula
Grows well
Microgreens
Grows well
Pumpkin
Grows well
Leek
Grows well
Asparagus
Grows well
Rhubarb
Grows wellFrequently asked questions
What hardiness zone is Boise, ID in?
Boise, ID is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.
When is the last frost in Boise?
The average last spring frost in Boise is around April 20, and the first fall frost is typically October 20. Plan to move tender plants outside after April 20 and have them harvested (or protected) before October 20.
What grows well in Boise?
Plenty — Boise's USDA Zone 6b climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.
How long is Boise's growing season?
Boise typically has around 153 frost-free days per year (roughly April 20 to October 20). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.
What should I plant first in Boise?
Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Boise.
Can I grow vegetables in containers in Boise?
Yes — Boise's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.
When should I start seeds indoors in Boise?
For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around April 20), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.