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When to plant Zucchini in Bingham County, ID

Bingham County's short 123-day growing season means one Zucchini planting between May 28 and June 18. No fall crop in Zone 5b.

When to Plant Zucchini in Bingham County, ID

Zucchini
Bingham County, Idaho Zone 5b June

Your June planting checklist for Bingham County, Idaho

Each item below is timed to Bingham County, Idaho's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost May 21
Avg. first frost September 21
Soil temp (4") 42°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.2 hrs
  1. Get zucchini in the ground

    Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.

  2. Time to start zucchini inside

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: zucchini

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Zucchini is an incredibly prolific summer squash that can produce an abundance of fruit from just a few plants. It is versatile in the kitchen from grilling to baking.

Bingham County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 8,345 feet, Bingham County receives approximately 24.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Zucchini during the growing season.

Bingham County, ID (Zone 5b) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Bingham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Zucchini Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 12 Transplant: Jun 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 13

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Bingham County

How your county's soil matches Zucchini's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.7) overlaps with Zucchini's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Bingham County is excellent for Zucchini — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Zucchini.

How to Plant Zucchini

1"
Planting Depth
30"
Between Plants
42"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Zucchini

3
successive plantings in your 123-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.

Zucchini Water Budget

Plant needs
1.2″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 477 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Zucchini

Zucchini needs approximately 1.2 inches of water per week (5.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Zucchini Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 5.2" 2.5" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 5.2" 1.5" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 5.2" 2.3" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 5.2" 2.5" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 5.2" 2.3" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Bingham County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Zucchini Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Zucchini needs ~761 GDD — county provides 1,783 GDD Excellent fit

Zucchini Planting Timeline — Bingham County, ID

Zucchini Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Transplant Outdoors June 4 Jun 4 – Jun 18
Direct Sow May 28 May 28 – Jun 18
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Sep 17

Plant 1" deep · 30" apart · Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.2"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

45–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Bingham County

Growing Tips for Zucchini in Bingham County

Direct sow Zucchini outdoors after May 21 in Bingham County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Zucchini in this region include squash vine borer and cucumber beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Bingham County receives only 24" of rain annually. Zucchini needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

Direct sow after last frost. Harvest when fruits are 6-8 inches long for best flavor and texture. Check plants daily in summer as fruits can double in size overnight.

Recommended Zucchini Varieties for Bingham County

Quick-producing varieties for shorter seasons

Black Beauty (50d) Raven (48d) Eight Ball (40d)

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Zucchini in Bingham County, ID?

Bingham County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Zucchini planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bingham County, ID?

Bingham County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 21.

When should I plant Zucchini in Bingham County, ID?

In Bingham County, ID, plant Zucchini after the last frost (around May 21) and before the first frost (around September 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Bingham County, ID for Zucchini?

Bingham County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Zucchini grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Zucchini grow in Bingham County's climate?

Yes — Zucchini grows well in Bingham County's temperate climate. Bingham County averages a 123-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 21 and first frost around September 21.

🌱

Your Bingham County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bingham County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bingham County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.