Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Evanston, WY
Plan your garden around Evanston, WY's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
June 12
Safe Jul 2
Typical Jun 12
Risky May 26
First Fall Frost
September 12
Safe Aug 26
Typical Sep 12
Risky Sep 25
Growing Season
90 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a
A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.
Data: NOAA station EVANSTON 1 E, WY US, 1.1 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 3 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | May 15 – May 22 | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | May 22 – May 29 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | May 15 – May 22 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | May 15 – May 22 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 3 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | May 15 – May 22 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 3 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 1 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 1 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 18 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | May 15 – May 29 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 8 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | May 22 – May 29 | Jul 11 – Jul 18 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | May 29 – Jun 5 | Jul 4 – Jul 11 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | May 15 – May 29 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 18 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | May 8 – May 22 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | May 15 – May 29 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 18 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | May 15 – May 29 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 15 – Aug 29 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | May 15 – May 29 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Jun 26 – Jul 10 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | May 15 – May 29 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | May 1 – May 8 | — | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 1 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 5 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | May 22 – Jun 5 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 12 – Jun 19 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 12 – Jun 19 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | May 15 – May 22 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | May 15 – May 22 | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | Jun 19 – Jun 26 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Jun 19 – Jul 3 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Evanston, WY?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the EVANSTON 1 E, WY US station, the last spring frost in Evanston typically falls around June 12. A cautious gardener might wait until July 2 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while May 26 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Evanston, WY in fall?
The first fall frost in Evanston typically arrives around September 12. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as August 26; in milder years it can hold off until September 25.
How long is the growing season in Evanston, WY?
Evanston's average frost-free growing season is about 90 days, running from the typical last spring frost (June 12) to the typical first fall frost (September 12).
What USDA hardiness zone is Evanston, WY in?
Evanston, WY is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. A classic four-season climate with cold winters and a solid summer growing season.