When to plant in North Dakota
Most of North Dakota sees its last spring frost between May 6 and May 19, and its first fall frost between Sep 22 and Oct 2. The middle of the state is around May 12 and September 28: that's what the dates below use.
Hardiness zones in North Dakota: 3b (13%), 4a (78%), 4b (9%).
Planting dates for common crops
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest | Plant for fall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Aug 4 – Sep 28 | — |
| Pepper | Mar 24 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Aug 9 – Sep 28 | — |
| Cucumber | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 20 – Sep 7 | — |
| Zucchini / Summer squash | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jul 15 – Sep 23 | — |
| Winter squash | — | May 26 – Jun 9 | Aug 29 – Sep 28 | — |
| Green beans (bush) | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | Jul 19 – Aug 30 | — |
| Peas | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 30 – Jul 4 | Jul 9 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 | — |
| Lettuce | — | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | May 29 – Jul 10 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 10 – Jun 21 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jun 8 – Aug 31 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 20 – Jul 25 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jun 23 – Jul 28 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Carrot | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 30 – Aug 11 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Beet | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 15 – Jul 27 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Radish | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 2 – May 30 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Onion (sets) | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jul 16 – Aug 20 | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 21 – Oct 12 (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 28 next year | — |
| Potato | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jul 20 – Aug 24 | — |
| Sweet potato | Apr 21 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Sep 10 – Sep 28 | — |
| Watermelon | — | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 28 | — |
| Basil | Apr 14 | May 26 – Jun 9 | Jun 25 – Sep 28 | — |
| Strawberry (June-bearing) | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 9 – Jul 7 (once established) | — |
| Sunflower | — | May 25 – Jun 8 | Aug 13 – Sep 17 | — |
Dates for a typical spot in North Dakota. Colder and higher places plant later, warmer ones earlier: enter your ZIP code for yours, or see the calendar for your zone.
Frost dates around North Dakota
| Place | Zone | Last frost | First frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | 4a | May 9 | Oct 1 |
| Bismarck | 4a | May 10 | Sep 30 |
| Grand Forks | 4a | May 16 | Sep 27 |
| Jamestown | 4b | May 11 | Sep 28 |
| Minot | 4a | May 10 | Oct 1 |
| Wahpeton | 4a | May 4 | Oct 3 |
| Dickinson | 4b | May 20 | Sep 25 |
| Grand Forks AFB | 4a | May 16 | Sep 27 |
| Minot AFB | 4a | May 10 | Oct 1 |
| Williston | 4a | May 21 | Sep 21 |
Average dates from the nearest NOAA weather stations (1991–2020). Click a place for its full planting calendar.