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The rule of thumb is to wait until all visible snow is off Shafer Butte before planting most of your vegetables.
You want to get those veggies planted and on the way to your table! If you don’t have a greenhouse or haven’t started your seedlings indoors, though, you might be in for a heartbreak if you plant too early. Boise and the Treasure Valley are considered “high desert,” meaning we not only have four distinct seasons, but also that the region is very dry with hot, arid summers. With an average of just 13 inches of precipitation yearly, one might think getting a jump on the planting season
when days are cool and rainy would be the way to go. While this seems logical, it’s not the best plan of attack. Ask anyone who’s “been around,” and they will most likely share that the rule of thumb is to wait until all visible snow is off Shafer Butte before planting a good share of your vegetables, and even many annual flowers. The Old Farmer’s Almanac gives May 7th as the date of the average last spring frost, although it can happen as late
as June. The last frost in 2013 was May 5th, but 1995 saw a record low in June of just 31°. The Almanac has a great—and printable—planting guide that breaks down the best time to sow a variety of fruits and vegetables. Visit your local garden store, or do a little research online to get your garden ready and before planting, but, most of all, trust in the local lore, and wait to plant until Shafer Butte tells you it’s OK! cbboise.com
