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North Dakota frost dates
Across the 14North Dakota weather stations below, the average last spring frost ranges from May 6 in Devils Lake Kdlr to May 24 in Hettinger. The statewide middle is about May 14 for the last spring frost and Sep 27 for the first fall frost. Devils Lake Kdlr has the longest growing season, about 152 days. Hardiness zones in these places: 3b, 4a, 4b.
Frost dates by city
| Place | Zone | Last spring frost | 90% safe after | First fall frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devils Lake Kdlr | 4a | May 6 | May 19 | Oct 5 | 152 |
| Medora 7 E | 4b | May 9 | May 21 | Sep 30 | 144 |
| Fargo Hector | 4a | May 10 | May 23 | Sep 30 | 143 |
| Minot | 4a | May 10 | May 22 | Oct 1 | 144 |
| Jamestown | 4b | May 11 | May 24 | Sep 28 | 140 |
| Bismarck | 4a | May 14 | May 27 | Sep 27 | 136 |
| Garrison | 4a | May 14 | May 28 | Sep 26 | 135 |
| Jamestown 38 Wsw | 4a | May 14 | May 26 | Sep 27 | 136 |
| Grand Forks | 4a | May 16 | May 31 | Sep 27 | 134 |
| Pembina | 3b | May 16 | May 31 | Sep 29 | 136 |
| Theodore Roosevelt | 4b | May 18 | May 31 | Sep 25 | 130 |
| Northgate 5 Ese | 4a | May 20 | Jun 2 | Sep 19 | 122 |
| Williston Sloulin | 4a | May 21 | Jun 3 | Sep 21 | 123 |
| Hettinger | 4b | May 24 | Jun 10 | Sep 18 | 117 |
Dates are the 50% probability of a 32°F freeze (NOAA 1991–2020 normals); "90% safe after" is the date after which a later spring freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.
When to plant in North Dakota
Using the statewide middle dates (last frost May 14, first frost Sep 27). Adjust for your town with the table above or the planting calendar.
| Plant | When to plant in North Dakota |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Apr 2 – Apr 23; fall: Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Potatoes | Apr 16 – May 7 |
| Green beans | May 21 – Jun 4; fall: Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Sep 27 – Oct 25 |
| Tulips | Sep 13 – Oct 25 |